If you went to Lakeside’s winter tailgate December 12th, you remember the remarkable student support and turnout for the boys basketball game against Metro League rival and frequent 3A state competitor Seattle Prep. Looking up at the crowd positioned directly behind Lakeside’s bench, you would get the impression of an incoming blizzard; the students adhered to the spirit almost unanimously, as if it were their own uniforms. Head Coach AJ Turner commended the turnout of seniors and appreciated this strong support, saying, “it was amazing to see all the student support there.” .

While the team was unable to pull away with a win despite jumping out to an early lead in the first quarter and the numerous strong efforts up and down the roster (Seattle Prep won  74-54), Turner noted the learning opportunities a loss like this presents. He described it as a “good learning experience for [the team] and a measuring stick to see where the [team is],” given Seattle Prep’s strong historical standing as a revered boys basketball program.

Bennett B. ’27, who came to the tailgate to cheer his peers on, said “hearing everyone around me cheering [the team on] definitely helped foster a sense of community.” His biggest highlight of the night was watching friends who he’d known for years perform on a big stage. “For example,” he added, “when Jack N. ’27 hit a three [point shot] in the fourth quarter, or when Wilson P. ’27 subbed in late, I found myself cheering the loudest.”

Players on the team also recognized and appreciated the crowd’s engagement. Xavier G. ’27 explained their effect on the team’s play, saying, “Having a crowd like that gives a boost in energy and confidence. [Their] support helped [the team] push and stay focused.” Later, Xavier expanded upon the opportunities for growth described by Turner, saying, “A lesson from this loss is that we need to stay consistent through all four quarters.”

Even though the on-court result might have been disappointing, the wins of the night, both long-term for the team’s growth and for the Lakeside community as a whole, cannot be overlooked. Turner planned this matchup for the winter tailgate, counting on the student body to show out against a top-tier Metro League opponent. Why? In his words, to “build school spirit and connectedness to where we as a school are [playing] Prep, rather than just the boys basketball team.” By all accounts, that couldn’t have been more true that Friday night.