The clock is set, the players are warming up, and the crowd roars as the iconic “Welcome to the Jungle” plays over the speaker system. The song is perfect for the games this year due to one of the largest student sections in the district now, named “The Jungle.” The student section over powers the gym, growing in size the more that East basketball advances this season. They have signs, drums, and even their own t-shirt, a long sleeved bright orange top that says, “Welcome to the Jungle.”
“My favorite part is watching our team do really well this year,” said senior Clayton Householder, a valued member of the jungle. “One day I asked some friends if anyone would like a student section shirt.”
Householder, along with some friends designed the shirt and got the word out.
“I like to be a part of the student section because I get to be a part of my school,” senior Lori Berkley said. “I’m excited to cheer on my winning team.”
The Jungle has been dominating the stands lately, even at away games. The section has come up with a lot of cheers and fun ways to cheer on their basketball players.
“I believe that with all the fans cheering the players on, it motivates them to play harder knowing the have the whole school behind them.”
Along with cheering on the team, the more competitive members of the team enjoy having a sort of battle with the other student section, seeing which one is louder and which one has more members. It a sort of game that keeps the student section excited and up beat for the entire game.
This basketball season has been amazing for the team, winning the majority of their games, and “The Jungle” has been on the sidelines cheering them on for the entire season! There is no doubt that the student section will be crowded in the stands when the team head to play offs!