I’ll have the school spirit salad, please

While last week’s Port Washington at Grafton boys’ high school basketball game Dec. 7 included some plays indicative of early season development, the fans were in midseason form.

Well-populated, vibrant student sections filled the gym.

That wasn’t lost on the players, who are appreciating their classmates cheering them on after the pandemic limited attendance for nearly all of last season.

“Our fans are just so amazing. They come in here, the gym is so loud. Even Port’s fans were amazing,” Grafton junior Chase Norton said.

“You do something good and you’re so hyped up. You can hear the whole crowd.”

Several of Port’s fans brought cucumbers for reasons that escape me. Some of these weren’t just any old member of the Cucurbitaceae family. They were those high-quality, more expensive and delicious English seedless versions.

I was hoping their friends would walk in with spring mix, some chopped cucumbers and colored peppers, shredded carrots and croutons.

And I wouldn’t have argued with grilled chicken either.

FYI: I prefer vinegar and oil dressing, but ranch is fine, too.

Someone should probably bring bowls and utensils as well.

It wasn’t the only time last week the gym was filled with spirit. Cedarburg brought a similarly solid crowd on Friday, although they didn’t appear to travel with produce.

Two rivals in one week was a bit much for Grafton’s coach Damon James, who is so skinny I bet he only eats salad.

“Whoever did the scheduling, they need to stop doing that,” he said.

But keep the large and exuberant fan contingents coming. By the end of the season, perhaps we can work our way up to a steak dinner.