By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - Gerri Felts has already added two more "Go Blue Go" signs to her car windows.

She's laid out her blue-and-white Hamilton High School T-shirt that proclaims, "My Blood is Blue."

And Tuesday the 69-year-old Hamilton High graduate got to her alma mater at 5:50 a.m. to make sure she was first in line when tickets to Friday's state semifinal basketball game went on sale at 7 a.m.

"I'll be screaming blue," said Felts, who has been a season-ticket holder since 1972. "It's been great watching them this year. We have two more to go."

Before the team leaves Thursday morning they'll get a send-off assembly at 9 a.m.

In the front row will be Alex "Boo" Ellis, a former NBA player (he played two years with the Minneapolis Lakers) who led the 1953-54 Big Blue team to its last state championship 50 years ago, scoring 56 points in two games in the state finals.

"I've been following them since they were seventh-graders," he said. "They're a good bunch. They have the talent to win it all."

Excitement is building in the school as signs go up throughout Hamilton High. Senior Brandon Brown has seen a lot more blue at school and plans to attend the game with a blue face.

Players say they appreciate all the attention.

"I'm excited,'' said senior co-captain Latez William. "We're trying to act like we been here before - stay calm, not get too hyped up inside and stay focused. I think about what we have to do."

Tickets to Friday's state semifinal basketball game will be sold 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Thursday in the athletic office at Hamilton High School, 1165 Eaton Ave. Cost is $7 for the reserved seats.

Big Blue will face Canton McKinley at 9 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

E-mail suek@infionline.net