New London — And at a little after noon Thursday, they sang. Not particularly well, but they sang. The musical interlude — mad props and bon mots here to New London Rotarian Deb MacDonnell for the perfect choice — “We Are The Champions.”

Actually, they’ve been the champions since one night in March, when a record crowd for girls’ high school basketball in Connecticut, nearly 8,200 fans, filled Mohegan Sun Arena to watch the adopted daughters of everyone in the 06320 win the Class LL state championship and finish No. 1.

This was culmination day, the day the good people of New London Rotary awarded the kids of New London High their championship rings. But not before a song. They managed to sing in sync on the “we are the champions” part, but not much else (although Spencer Roman tried her hardest).

Rotary members, as has been their custom for past Whaler champions, raised the money to buy the rings. And they’re nice rings, too, big enough to have their own four-wheel drive. A big, green-and-gold interlocking “NL.”

They’ll function in crime prevention, too. Imagine some mugger happens upon one of the kids or coaches wearing the ring at the time. One decent right cross to the jaw and the poor creep would be in need of medical attention.

“I can’t believe how many people have supported us. It’s amazing,” humbled head coach Holly Misto told the audience at the Holiday Inn. “It says a lot about this community. The kids placed a lot of trust in each other and in us. They really cared about each other. I think people could see that.”

Indeed. Not many teams captured the fancy of the hard-marking city better than this one. And this wasn’t the only celebration. Last month attorney Scott Sawyer, whose daughter, Cora, was a key member of the 2017 champs, coordinated a party at Coast Guard Academy. Members of the Connecticut Sun spoke as did Channel 8 reporter Tina Detelj. Several businesses donated services and food. The complete list illustrates the impressive tentacles of this team:

Donated services: Andrea Marcille (and the Coast Guard Alumni Association), Jim Mallove (Mallove’s Jewelers); Detelj (WTNH News 8); Morgan Tuck, Lynetta Kizer and Alex Bentley (Connecticut Sun), Tim Yuhas (Yuhas Performance Training), Stash Schiavone (On the Waterfront), Recovery Room (Jack Cochran); Pete Farnan, Pete Gianakos and George Gianakos (Mr. G’s), Tony D’Angelo (Tony D’s), Rod Cornish (Hot Rod’s), Jack Chaplin (Daddy Jack’s) and Blu-Prints Unlimited, Inc.

Significantly reduced pricing: Music by James Jackson, Quality Printers, The Cake Lady and LaChale Photography.

Monetary sponsors: Stefan Ambrosch (Mango’s Wood Fired Pizza Co. and Vault Coffee Roasters), Todd Blonder (T.J, Motors), Keith Turner (McCue Mortgage), Dr. Allison Tuttle (Mystic Aquarium), Connie Howard (US Properties), John Trolland (Heritage Properties), Attorney William Brennan (Bevza & Brennan, LLC) Rick Woodward (Woodward Landscaping and Maintenance, LLC), Attorney Gregg Wagman, Attorney Lori Hellum (Hellum & McIntyre, LLC), Charlotte Hennegan (Thames River Greenery), Eric Anderson (Birdseye), Nancy Hennegan (Nancy’s Salon), Greg Hanner and Mike Tomaszek (Garden Realty), Peter and Chris Gianakos (G’s Fitness and Nutrition) Dr. Holly M. Misto (yes, the coach) (Coastal Eye Associates), Susan Devlin and Barry Neistat (Muddy Waters), The Hoop Academy, and Jay Johnston (Village Mortgage).

You’ll note not all those people and businesses are in New London. But they know a good story when they see it.

The Whalers of 2017 represent a “this is us” for the entire city. Diverse, tough, loyal, resilient and champions. All the team’s seniors are heading to college. The team grade point average is north of 3.5. The coaches — Misto, Arianna Dolock and Missy Parker — exemplify the teamwork they want their kids to espouse. This was the whole package.

Sometimes, things end just as they should.

The kids, just by being who they are and what they’ve been taught, honored their city. Their city honored them. Now they have the rings to prove it.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro