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In the great state of Indiana, what sport is most popular? If the movie "Hoosiers" wasn't enough of a clue, I'll fill you in...BASKETBALL!!!
But what makes the sport so wonderful here? Is it the disciplined guards with pure jumpshots? Is it the strength of those corn-fed farmboys? That's partially why in my opinion, but what makes it ALL WORTHWHILE revolves around one word: ATMOSPHERE!
It's the fans who forced the need to have Indiana have 9 of the 10 largest gymnasiums in the United States. And the fanbase is build around the students, no question about it. The "cheerblock" as we call it in these parts makes it so entertaining.
Even if the game has the excitement capacity of a rousing round of solitaire, the rival cheerblocks trading insults back and forth can provide MORE than enough entertainment.
Nowadays, fanbases have shrunk somewhat and we usually have to wait until a BIG rivalry game or sectionals to see two schools duke it out. That wasn't the case this past February when I went to Silver Creek high school to see the hosting Dragons take on the MSC champs the Salem Lions.
The Salem Lions were notorious for not only winning games, but winning cheerblock wars on top of it. Their student section was loved by the faithful and DESPISED by everyone else. Shortly after this game, Austin felt their wrath as well.
Despite Salem's boisterous section, Silver Creek was not known for passive-aggression. Their section dubbed "The O-Zone" was known for making house calls when their beloved Dragons went on the road and I'd seen them in action at Charlestown earlier.
I remembered calling Silver Creek's boosters earlier that week and informing them that they were up for game of the week. They told me that the students were preparing for a major battle with Salem's block. I knew IMMEDIATELY where I had to be that Friday night.
I arrived during the JV game to find BOTH BLOCKS already firing at each other. When they noticed my WLKY backpack, they immediately started warring for my attention. I was offered cold pizza by Salem's Wes Sama, and then given flowers and chocolates (it was V-day) by Silver Creek's Paige Conrad. I also was proposed to by Silver Creek junior Taylor East. All within my first half-hour of being on the scene.
Silver Creek was definitely prepared: A trio (including East) dressed like Wizard of Oz characters with a sign that said "Where's our cowardly lion?"
Salem came dressed in all black with life-size cutouts of players heads, a giant brick to symbolize Silver Creek missing shots, the night was so crazy I couldn't even remember it all.
Salem ended up winning by 10, but both sides enjoyed themselves thoroughly. I know I did.
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