A sigh of relief was followed by a burst of exuberance as he finally heard the good news.

“We finally got in there?” Central Christian Academy boys’ basketball coach Carl Rawls said in disbelief. “Well, the kids are well deserving.”

Rawls was informed Thursday that the CCA Warriors had finally cracked the Alabama Sports Writers Association AISA top 10 boys’ prep poll. The news came just before Rawls and the Warriors departed for their game at West Alabama Prep.

“This is great news for the kids,” Rawls said, “especially for the nine varsity kids who work hard every single day.”

This marks the first time that Central Christian Academy has broken into the top 10 since the 2003-’04 season, according to CCA Headmaster Dayton Dawkins. That season, the Warriors went to the state’s Final 8 in Montgomery for the second consecutive season.

Rawls has been frustrated that the Warriors had been nixed by pollsters despite rolling out to a 12-2 record. Central Christian Academy sent a message loud and clear Tuesday night that it should be in the polls with a 97-48 thrashing of Prattville Christian.

“I am a little surprised we made it (into the polls) this soon,” Rawls said. “I thought maybe in another week or two we would be recognized. I know we’re good enough to be in the top 10.”

Central Christian was joined in the AISA boys’ poll by Marion Military Academy (13-1) at number seven and Morgan Academy (10-3), the eighth-ranked team.

The Warriors were just one of 11 teams ranked in this week’s state poll, including three at number one.

The Southside High School Panthers remained atop the boys’ Class 4A poll for the fourth straight week. The Panthers are off to a 17-0 record.

The R.C. Hatch Bobcats and Lady Bobcats also top their respective Class 1A polls. The Lady Bobcats currently own a 15-1 mark, while the Bobcats are 14-1.

The Selma High School Lady Saints (14-3) remained in a tie for 10th place with Dothan in the Class 6A poll.

In the AISA girls’ poll, Morgan Academy (11-2) hangs on at No. 5, while Marion Military Academy (11-3) was the 10th-ranked team.

In the boys’ polls, Wilcox Central (10-5) stays at number nine in the Class 5A poll for the second straight week.

The Francis Marion Rams sneak into the Class 1A top 10 with an 11-4 mark.