It’s that time of year again. The final buzzer has sounded on the regular season, and high school basketball teams across the country are gearing up for state championships. It’s a time of excitement, nerves, and sweat-soaked jerseys. But let’s be real: it’s also a time of some pretty ridiculous rituals.
The pregame pep talk is a staple of any championship game, but some coaches take things to another level. Take Coach Johnson from Westwood High in Texas, for example. He goes full-on Braveheart mode before every game, delivering an impassioned speech while wearing a kilt (yes, really). His players swear by it – they’ve won back-to-back state titles – but I can’t help but wonder if there’s something to be said for just focusing on Xs and Os.
Then there are the lucky charms. Every player seems to have one – whether it’s a certain pair of socks or underwear (gross) or a lucky penny tucked into their shoe. And don’t even get me started on team mascots. The North Dakota state champs last year were the Bismarck Demons…which is fine until you realize that their mascot is literally just someone dressed in red pajamas with horns glued to their head.
But despite all the weirdness surrounding these games, there’s no denying the thrill of victory (or agony of defeat). One team that knows this all too well is Lincoln High in New York City. They’ve made it to four straight state title games…and lost all four times by less than five points combined. Talk about heartbreak.
But not everyone takes these games so seriously – like my friend Mike who played at Clearwater High in Florida back in the day. Their pregame ritual consisted of eating as much fast food as possible before tip-off (because nothing screams “athletic performance” like a stomach full of grease). Surprisingly enough, they made it to the state semifinals one year. Maybe there’s something to be said for the power of junk food?
Of course, no championship game would be complete without some drama. Like when Madison Central in Mississippi won their first ever title last year…thanks in part to a missed call by the refs that allowed them to tie the game and send it into overtime. The opposing coach was not pleased, to say the least.
But hey, that’s just part of the game – and part of what makes these state championships so exciting. From crazy coaches to lucky socks, anything can happen on any given night. And whether you’re a player or just a fan watching from home, there’s always something worth cheering for.
So here’s to all those teams out there gearing up for their shot at glory – may your shots fall true and your lucky charms hold strong. And who knows? Maybe Coach Johnson will lend you his kilt if you need an extra boost.