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Wauconda Forever! Native of ‘Black Panther’ town leads Texas Tech to title game

It sounds like Wakanda from the Marvel universe, but spelled a little differently. Now, it has a native son moving on in the Final Four.
Texas Tech guard Matt Mooney reacts to fans after a semifinal round game against Michigan State in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Author: TEGNA Staff

Published: 11:28 PM EDT April 6, 2019

Updated: 11:34 PM EDT April 6, 2019

A young man from Wauconda, Ill., (yes, it sounds the same as Wakanda from "Black Panther") led the Texas Tech Red Raiders Saturday to its first appearance in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Matt Mooney led all scorers with 22 points as Texas Tech beat Michigan State 61-51. The Red Raiders will face Virginia Monday night for the title.

Mooney’s hometown of Wauconda ended up on the social media map when it decided to have fun with its name, which is pronounced the same as the fictional African nation from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The city shared pictures to their Facebook page in February 2018 when “Black Panther” hit theaters, showcasing people wearing Black Panther masks as a part of the fun. Everyone, from local businesses to city officials, participated.

The impact of Vibranium in Wauconda... Wauconda Fire District Wauconda Police Department Wauconda Area Chamber of...

Posted by Village of Wauconda on Friday, February 23, 2018

And so it continues... Wauconda Bowl Gmotorcars Wauconda Wauconda Community Bank Wauconda Area Library Wauconda Park...

Posted by Village of Wauconda on Friday, February 23, 2018

Wauconda Forever! John's Complete Auto Service Legacy 1878 Ryan and Company, Realtors Inc. Honey Hill Coffee Company Whisk Bakery and Coffee Shop #waucondaforever #wakandaforever

Posted by Village of Wauconda on Friday, February 23, 2018
KTHV previously published material contributed to this report.

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