In their first year, the Marlboro County BulldogsElite 8U won the AAU state championship on Nov. 14.

“They made history as a first-time program to knock off two #1 seeds to win a state title from Marlboro County,” said team coach Mike Littles.

Now the team needs help in getting to the nationals in Florida.

“We are going to need all the help we can get,” he said.

With 25 kids on the roster, the team will be in Florida on Dec. 7-12.

Littles said the hotel stay would be $550 for the week per child. The team is trying to raise at least $10,000, so youth can be fed and have a place to stay.

“We are asking the county to have them in their hearts to donate or to sponsor a child,” he said. “We have a great chance of going down there and winning some games. My goal is to come back as national champions.” He added he and the team feel like they have a good chance of “shocking the world.”

The Bulldogs Elite 8U team is made up of youth eight years of age and under from all over the county. On the team, there are two six-year-olds, and the rest are either seven or eight.

The team finished the season with an 8-1 record.

Littles encouraged people to donate because the youth are representing everyone in Marlboro County.

“They are the future,” Littles said. “If anyone has it in their heart, the kids would appreciate it and need it. We can’t be successful without the community.”

For information or to donate, call Littles at 843-535-2081.