Most schools play their Homecoming games under Friday-night lights in the crisp September air. But de Toledo? We do it in December, under our gym’s bright lights, with the squeaking of basketball shoes slicing the court.
This week, the pressure builds for the Varsity Basketball team as the most anticipated game of the season approaches. As de Toledo takes on New Roads this Saturday, the stakes are high and the excitement is palpable. The basketball program is unique amongst de Toledo sports; they train year-round, building a rhythm and intensity that peaks right as Homecoming approaches. Drawing the largest crowd all season, it’s the most enjoyable game for both the team and the student body.
The basketball season has been steady so far; with a record of 3 and 4, the team has had ups and downs. Three-year Varsity player Aiden A. (‘27) described the difference between the team’s identity this year compared to past seasons. “We have better chemistry, work better together, and are more disciplined as a team.”
When asked about the difference in practices and preparation leading up to the homecoming game, he responded, “There is none. There is none because basketball, like every other sport, is all about consistency, so on the court you should have the same mental and physical preparation before every game.”
Despite the consistency of the sport, what contrasts this particular game is the amount of combined effort put into coordinating the event.
The energy and pressure aren’t created overnight: arrangements have to be made, plays have to be practiced, and hype videos have to be filmed. What looks flawless on game day is actually the result of steady effort that begins months prior to Homecoming week.
None of this excitement would be possible without the extensive planning that happens long before the cameras roll or fans fill the bleachers. Assistant athletic director, David Avila, shared that, “This game was scheduled at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.”
Avila also acknowledged how this game brings in the largest crowd of the year, and continued to say, “It’s great for our school spirit, and we would love to have an atmosphere like that for more of our games.”
Aiden A. also recognized the impact that the amount of fans has on his performance as a player. He commented, “Before the game it can be nerve-racking, but during the game it’s a big motivator to know that all these people are here cheering for us.”
The crowd doesn’t simply show up; there are numerous ways the school advertises it, but the most popular and favored promotion each year is the hype video. A few weeks before the game, the director of the video, Miles S. (‘27), gathered the team to film clips for the video.
Miles explained the difficult process of coordinating everything: “First, I contacted Mr. Stark to figure out lighting in the gym, and then once that was arranged, we came down to a pretty tight time crunch, but we worked with the time we had to produce the best video we could.”
He explained the reward he feels that comes with the hard work, “It hypes up the student body, and makes them more inclined to go to the game and support their classmates, which is the coolest part.”
The game is ultimately the product of a year’s worth of discipline from the players, countless hours of planning from the Athletics department, and the creative energy of students who bring the school together. On Saturday, when the game clock starts, the ball is tossed in the air for tip-off, and the stands fill, the team won’t just be playing for their own personal benefit, but rather for the collective force culminated by the community… on December 6… at 7:30 pm… be there!
