Setting the tone at semifinals

PERKINS TWP. — It's the boys' job to focus on the baskets. But where would they be without the girls? Perkins High School's boys basketball team is on the road to Dayton this week after securing a spot in the final four. Joining them on this trip is a group of girls who have been by their side from the start of the season: the cheerleaders. The girls not only watched the basketball team go 20-2 in the regular season, win a Sandusky Bay Conference championship and earn district and regional titles, but they have also supported them from the sidelines through it all. Once again, the girls will act as the boys' No. 1 supporters as they play in the state semifinal game on Thursday. This is an accomplishment for the school with it being the first time the boys' team has advanced this far in the state basketball tournament. "This experience is just really cool to get to see," junior cheerleader Zoe Tomasula said. "We haven't gotten this far in basketball, so it's just a lot of energy." This is an amazing opportunity, according to junior cheerleader Jianna Mitchell. Going to the final four is not something that happens every season. For Tomasula and Mitchell, the excitement is greater because this is their first time cheering for the varsity team. "To make it to the final four is very exciting for the players, but to have the opportunity to also join them is such a great feeling," Tomasula said. "We get to do the sport we love while the basketball team gets to do a sport they love." The cheerleaders — advised by Gigi Musser, who receives help from JV coach Olivia Crabtree and freshman coach Bella Lesch — can all agree that their job is all about keeping the energy in the room. "We basically set the tone," Tomasula said. "Right as the game starts, we put that smile on our face and just start cheering to the crowd." Katelynn Troyer, a junior cheerleader, said she and the other girls contribute to the intense games by matching and encouraging the crowd's energy. The girls can't put a pause in what they do during a timeout or between quarters. According to Troyer, these are the moments they step up to get the crowd excited for the next play. Cheerleaders will also include the audience in their efforts to keep the energy alive. They have signs for the crowd to cheer with them and chants for elements that happen during the game. "We interact with the students behind us, too," Troyer added. "There are a lot of generational chants to say with the crowd and student section that make the gym atmosphere powerful." Reese Capizzi, a junior cheerleader, described their job as a connection between what is happening during the game and the fans behind them. "As a cheerleader, our job isn't just to look the part, but we are the bridge between the athletes on the court and the fans in the stands. And if the energy in the crowd is down, it's our job to keep the energy up," Capizzi said. The cheerleaders' energy has an effect on everyone in the gym, creating a positive environment all around, according to Tomasula. "It just kind of gets everybody hyped up and able to join in," Tomasula said. "I think the basketball team also feels that energy and excitement when we get the crowd to join in with us and we get ourselves involved." With a high-stakes game comes a bigger crowd. The cheerleaders all agree it is a different feeling compared to performing on their home field or gym, but more people means more energy to feed off. "I speak for the entire squad when I say we look forward to this so much," Troyer said. "It is so fun to perform what we love doing, and have been doing for years, all together and in front of our entire community. On and off the court, our team is best friends and we love experiencing things like this all together. It's so rewarding to be down on the court and to look up at all your community members and people you've known your entire life supporting you and your best friends." The cheerleaders will join the boys' basketball team in Dayton Thursday as they play against Glenville in the semifinal game at Wright State University. Teams will take to the court at noon. If they win, they will play again on Friday for the state title.