The last home boy's basketball game of the season was set to be the final match played on the court of Tombstone High School's old gym, located on the edge of the downtown.

The game at the old gym was planned as a retirement for and to say farewell to the historic gym.

Last week's cold snap, however, caused a pipe in the old gym to break, leading to flooding in the lobby and other water damage.

The broken water pipe did not stop fans in the area from attending the farewell basketball game last Friday, though there was a change of venue.

The rivalry match-up chosen for the farewell event, between Tombstone and Bisbee High, had to be played at the new gym.

The old gym housed state champion teams, held many traditions and was known as one of the toughest environments in the state to play in.

Although the gym only seats roughly 325 fans, its low metal ceiling and the closeness of the bleachers to the court creates a loud environment and brings a great advantage to the home team Yellow Jackets.

The inclement weather conditions did not keep the fans from coming out to support the two teams and honor the coaches and players who took to the hard wood in the gym's history.

"I drove all the way from Tucson to see the game and be in the old gym one last time – too bad the pipe broke and the game wasn't held there," said UA student Adria Rascon. "I went to Bisbee High School and played basketball there several times, that place was crazy."

During halftime, Tombstone High's Principal Robert Devere informally acknowledged the players and coaches by asking them to stand.

The district used the old gym for more than 50 years for sporting events. Several current coaches at Tombstone High also played on the court, including Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director David Thursby.

Thursby played on the court a few times during his years as a student at Bisbee High School in 1988 through 1991.

"We practiced in the old gym many times before the flood and we have talked about the history of the gym," said Thursby. "We wanted to win one last time in the old gym."

The Jackets ended up winning the game 63-62, avenging their loss to Bisbee earlier in the season.

"The boys attributed the victory to all of the former players and coaches of the old gym," said Thursby.