The annual Oak Park High School Showdown is coming up, and the Boys Basketball team is nothing short of determined to win the competition. From practicing after school on the football field to late night practices at Deerhill Park, boys basketball is ready to crush the competition.
“I was born for this,” Varsity junior Kamran Zarie said. “I’m excited to compete.”
The Boys Basketball team has a tradition of doing a Magic Mike themed dance, but to avoid being repetitive, the cheer and dance team decided to add an additional frat boys theme to create: Frat Magic!
“It was a lot of fun choreographing the pieces,” varsity dance junior Madison Chang said. “We keep the dancers and their abilities in mind while incorporating fun movements so that the boys put their spirit in it!”
Boys basketball has been practicing twice a week for two months, but not without facing numerous challenges.
“We definitely lack in the amount of players,” Zarie said. “So we lack team chemistry.”
It was difficult for the dancers and cheerleaders to schedule practice at a time convenient for everyone.
“Often people will be missing, whether it’s coaches or basketball [players],” Chang said. “But we make the best with who is there at the moment and keep pushing!”
The showdown also presents the coaches with unique choreographing and teaching experiences.
“Showdown choreography is very different from our regular dance,” said Chang. “It is so fun to get to see non-dancers like the basketball boys experience dancing and try something new.”
The Showdown is a great opportunity for the athletes and the coaches to meet new people.
“Having practice and getting to know [the players] is a lot of fun,” Chang said. “Also, what comes with that is the different perspective they bring.”
Chang enjoys the combination of teaching dance to dedicated basketball players.
“You get to kind of trade your sport in a way,” said Chang. “Sometimes I learn some basketball facts!”
The dance, cheer and basketball team are not only looking forward to the result, but are enjoying the process of preparing for the Showdown.
“They always keep us on our toes and laughing,” Chang said. “They have big dance aspirations.”
The team is thrilled to see their dedication pay off this Saturday, Nov. 15.
“I’m excited to see the look on my cheer and dance girl’s faces after we win,” Zarie said.
