Robservations: Fans put on great show at Siegel
Siegel’s boys basketball team might have been ranked No. 1 in Class AAA when they hit the court last Friday against Warren County, but it was the team’s student fans who were the real “Stars” of the night.
For the second straight season, the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers made the trip to Murfreesboro to take on District 7-AAA’s newest member. And, for the second straight season, the battle on the hardwood was overshadowed by the battle in the stands.
A war of words — or, at least, a war of catchphrases — began during warm-ups before the boys’ teams squared off, and lasted until fans from both schools headed out of the gym.
From a neutral perspective — or, at least, partially neutral — the fans’ battle was fun to watch. It was even more fun once the game, unfortunately for the Pioneers, began to get out of hand.
It all started, as everyone who traveled for last year’s matchup knew it would, with the cheerleaders.
Apparently, our own WCHS pepsters and the girls from Siegel have a rivalry that can only be settled the way all true rivalries are — by tumbling.
So each time one of the two basketball teams called a time-out, it was time for the cheer teams to shine, as they flipped down the court solo, or in groups of two, three — or as an entire collective.
Not being a gymnastics judge, it’s hard for this friendly neighborhood sports columnist to say who “won” the cheerleading battle. But if I had to pick one or the other, I’d have to give the edge to the home squad last Friday. That decision, mind you, is based on the fact that once or twice, bless their hearts, a WCHS flip ended with our girl’s posterior hitting the hardwood. Sorry, ladies.
As for the battle of wits — or, of witty slogans — going on in the bleachers, I’ve got to give the nod to the “Siegel Nation,” as they’ve come to call themselves.
Sure, it’s easy to cheer for a team that’s among the top 10 in the state. But you’ve got to credit Siegel’s fans for the enthusiasm and originality they bring to the court.
Last year, the big-city kids attacked little ol’ Warren County by playing the “redneck card,” if you will. And this year, they decided they continue that trend.
“Start your tractor” was one of the catchier jingles they threw toward the Pioneer faithful as the game drew to an end. Nowhere near as funny as last year’s classic “Uncle Dad,” but still a funny twist on “start the bus.”
You might have noticed, a few paragraphs back, that the fans’ jawing was described as beginning just prior to the boys’ game. Which brings up an interesting point that’s been sticking in this particular craw for the past few weeks.
What’s the problem with girls’ basketball? If you’ve been out to the Charlie Dalton Gym, or any other gym, for that matter, you’ve no doubt seen how empty the stands are when the girls tip off, and the multitude of people who stream in around halfway through the ladies’ tilt.
Is it so difficult for fans, especially students, to get to a game at 6:30?
I hate to speak for the Lady Pioneers, but I’m sure they’d appreciate a few “Front Row Bro’s.” in the stands at the beginning of their games, instead of the “No-show Bro’s.” they’re seeing now.