Top 5 Student Cheering Sections

High school basketball games include many elements that contribute to the overall experience.

Players, coaches and officials are constants and are directly involved in the event.  On occasion, cheerleaders, dance teams, and bands also contribute. In addition, some schools have student cheering sections that really add to the event. They cheer to support their team and have fun at the same time. They also know how long to chant before the school administrators have to squelch them. Sadly, some students choose to practice poor displays of sportsmanship that put a damper on the game.

As a high school basketball official, I get to see first-hand, a large variety of student cheering sections. In the past 15 years, I have worked over 300 games in gyms from St. Francis to St. Thomas Academy and from Stillwater to Litchfield. As a parent, I have also been able to attend a large number of Northwest Suburban games.

One big difference I see between metro and non-metro schools are the student arrangements. In metro schools, students are in a well-defined section, and stand during the entire game. In non-metro schools the students are right on mid-court, sitting tightly packed in the first two or three rows. Both groups are similar in the amount of time they spend checking their phones. My partner and I have officiated great rivalry games witnessing passion, creativity, and sportsmanship that occur on a wide spectrum.

With that in mind, I have selected top five student cheering sections. 

The unscientific criteria for selection are:  1) a clear esprit de corps   2) organized cheers that are supportive of their teams   3) creative attire.

5th place: Holy Family. The Fire fans are energetic and loud. At the end of a tight section game at Richfield, when it was clear their season was over, they made a special effort to honor the senior players. Their recent success draws a large number of students.

4rd place:  Mounds View. The student section stands shoulder to shoulder in a small area right on the floor. Loud and proud of their traditionally strong program, they offer clever gigs when the opponents are introduced. Check out their game against Stillwater.

2nd place tie:  Osseo/Maple Grove. Osseo owns the hunting gear chic as they turn out in droves and Maple Grove supports their winning teams with passion.  When these teams play each other, the game features some of the most creative (and mostly politically correct) chants you will hear all winter. One must-see cheer at a Crimson game is the “Coaster,” with Mr. Gifford leading the ride.

1st: Henry Sibley High School.  All other schools are a distant second.  They have the most creative student-player interactions during the introduction of starters I have ever seen. It would make Moses proud.  Large, vocal, and fiercely loyal, they are the watermark for all other schools especially in terms of sportsmanship. Make the trip to West St. Paul to see a game.

Student cheering sections have the ability to create a tremendous atmosphere at a high school basketball game. I would challenge all schools to do so.