By Hannah Albers
Dressing up for home games is one of the most important factors in game day tradition. Dressing up is significant to players and coaches alike.
Girls basketball coach Perry Smith wants his team to show unity by dressing up. “We feel it is an honor to be a part of the Mustang basketball team. With that comes a higher standard of accountability, and we feel dressing up helps display that to the student body.”
Boys basketball coach Dave Johnson had something similar to say. “We want our team to come looking as ready as we are mentally prepared-sharp,” Johnson said. “We want to represent our school and community like we are going to church showing respect for all the players that have represented our school in previous years.”
Smith said that he tells the girls to wear their “Sunday best,” but the coaches have no preference to what that is. Most girls wear skinny jeans and a nice sweater or shirt.
Senior Kinlee Whetstine had a great take on the situation. “I think it makes a big difference. When I don’t dress up, it doesn't feel like game day. I also think it makes the team focus more because we all think about game day.” Whetstine also added, “For me it depends on the weather for what I wear. When the weather's nice, I like wearing a dress and then when it’s not I wear jeans or leggings with a sweater of some sort.”
Johnson said he prefers the boys to wear a shirt and tie with dress pants, no jeans. Junior Creighton Johnson feels dressing up is important. “I think it makes a big difference. Look good, feel good, play good.” Creighton said he usually wears dress pants with a good shirt and tie.