Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School wins state hockey title

A large banner in memory of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting (Gaston De Cardenas/AP)

As a community continues to mourn and recover, its high school hockey team has offered a moment of respite.

Just 11 days after Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was rocked by unfathomable tragedy, its high school varsity hockey team won the Lightning High School Hockey League Tier 1 state title over Jesuit 7-4 Sunday.

“We came into the game knowing we had to give it our all to get the win and that’s what we did and now we get to bring the trophy back to the best high school in America,” Marjory Stoneman Douglas player Joey Zenobi told local station WBBH-TV reporter Joe Putrelo.

The Eagles will now move on to compete in nationals from March 22-26 in Plymouth, Minn.

On Feb. 14 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School saw 14 students and three staff members killed with many more injured in a mass shooting perpetrated by 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, who confessed to the crimes.

Cruz is charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

The incident has reignited gun control debates in the United States.

Ultimately, winning in sports can’t erase the horror that transpired, but it can at least help with the healing process.

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