Fans make basketball. Having a gym full of high schoolers yelling at the top of their lungs when an opposing player sheepishly treks up to the free-throw line is what high school basketball is all about. The players can feel it. Physically, through the vibration of the hardwood, or mentally, knowing their friends are supporting them. A completely different feeling fills an empty gym, where all you can hear are the coaches and the squeaky shoes, versus when the gym is so packed that people are bubbling onto the court from the stands. They don’t compare. Senior guard Luke Lemke said, “A loud gym creates memories; you always remember games that are hyped, and everyone is into it.”
High school basketball is as much about school pride as it is about the sport itself. High school players are talented, but the games are far from the best basketball you can watch. The atmosphere that’s created makes it special, from the families to the alumni to the student section. It’s a time for the community to come together and show their tiger pride.
Home court advantage is a real thing. In college ball, the home team wins almost 70% of the time. In the NBA, the percentage is closer to 63%. The boys’ team hasn’t lost a home league game since 2023. In the last 4 seasons, Arcata has a 15-1 record at home in the league. The tigers win 93% of the time. The girls’ team is also very dominant at home. We only lost one league game at home in the past two seasons. That puts us at 7-1, which is an 87% win rate. Combined, in the past two winters, we have won 93% of our home games.
Obviously, the players and coaches deserve tons of credit, but that home record wouldn’t be as good without the fans, and the players know it. Senior guard Jonah Morgan said, “My favorite part about having fans is the chants, I like the A-TOWN, A-TOWN…” Thanks to the Zoo Club, we can have some organization in our chanting.
There will be some time before the next home games. The girls’ and boys’ home tournaments have already taken place. The first home game for the boys is scheduled for January 8th, where they will face off against Fortuna. The girls’ first home game will be against our rivals, McKinleyville, on January 16th. Be ready to show off your tiger pride this winter
