Those who came to Battle, we salute you

January 30, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

We've seen what the reigning title-winner can do. Now it’s time to visit the four schools that hope to unseat Frankenmuth as this season’s Battle of the Fans II champion.

The MHSAA’s BOTF tour continues Thursday at Buchanan, followed by a trip Friday to Vandercook Lake and the final voyages next Tuesday to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Feb. 8 to Zeeland East. (UPDATE Jan. 31: Because Buchanan cancelled its game on this night, the MHSAA will visit Buchanan on Feb. 15.)

Those four already have proven themselves elite among the 27 schools that applied for this year’s contest. But if these challengers are wise, they’ll consider the strengths of the 22 others that were not picked for the finals this season – which we've organized below after watching a re-watching our YouTube BOTF playlist.

Be all in, all the time

Rockford – Although Ram Nation’s section looked a tad smaller than when we visited during last year’s finalist tour, Rockford still comes en masse to make the basket on their side of the gym a distracting place for opponents to visit.

Clarkston – Like Rockford, this is one of the largest MHSAA schools. This section calls itself the “Jungle,” and you could tell from Clarkston’s video that it had a sea of fans creating an imposing presence – with a few of the athletes noting that the section’s performance directly improves their own.

Sterling Heights Stevenson – Another of our bigger schools, Stevenson’s section blocks out a large portion of its gym’s balcony.

Beaverton – This school has only 422 students, but at least half jammed the section for its video clips. As the narrator noted, it’s about “quality, not quantity.” But every fan from the front row to the back seemed to be involved at all times, as evidenced by this clip.

Bring the buzz

Bear Lake – We’re always impressed when a school like Bear Lake, with just 92 students, can provide the kind of energy that would make any opponent take notice. Two-thirds of the school formed a section with plenty of voice although few in number.

Wyandotte Roosevelt – The “Sixth-Man Fiesta” submitted by Roosevelt didn't slow down, even including a Jedi light saber battle and a few other creative efforts and a lot of jumping, yelling and general fun.

Pinconning – As one fan noted, a “true student section is when you have to shower after the game.” Watching this video helped us understand. 

Be unique

Bridgman – The self-titled “folks on exit 16,” also known as the “Orange Crush,” do their own thing in the Bee Hive. Lots of themes, a spirited mascot and we might borrow that catchy hashtag, #originality.

Grand Rapids Northview – The Wildcats showed off a repertoire featuring one of our favorites: before a football game, the members of the student section walked from their three buses to the field, hand in hand, just like the players. No wonder the team was inspired to earn its first playoff berth this season.

Clio – The introduction of the Mustangs’ video told us all we needed to know how about their high degree of original thought. If you haven’t already, click to check it out.

Hemlock – We can always appreciate a flash mob, especially when it looks like everyone is simply having a great time. The Huskies made that case well.

Warren Woods-Tower – We've seen just about everything over the last few years both touring our finalists and researching ourselves. The Titans did some of those moves – and then finished off with a few we hadn't seen, including a surfer in the crowd and a tumbling 10 pin. See the clip above.

Stand proudly

Schoolcraft – The “Purple Pack” had a full 15 people speak on its behalf representing everyone from the section itself to the cheerleaders, pep band and team. They love their Eagles, and we’re pretty big fans of this effort as well.

Traverse City West – As the video spokesperson says, “Sadly, your fans aren't Titans.” We liked the sense of pride and the overall army-like uniformity of this section.

Muskegon Mona Shores – The Sailors based their submission on “Jersey Night.” As such, the overall theme was “Sailor Pride,” as we’d expect from a strong section.

Dedicate to the cause

East Grand Rapids – The Pioneers were everywhere in their video – cheering for basketball, football and hockey. The most powerful cheering sections are present at a variety of sports.

Royal Oak – This video featured a different kind of dedication; the video was submitted by hockey players in tribute to their cheering section. A new spin, and a cool one.

Make an impact

Warren DeLaSalle – The “Bro Zone” – DeLaSalle is an all-boys school – brought the level of intensity one might expect from a football team in the stands, plus a healthy level of neon.

Sparta – Plainly put, the Spartans boys basketball team has only two losses over the last two seasons, and the section gets revved up to play its part by a pregame speech.

Keep it positive and HAVE FUN

Kalamazoo Loy Norrix – The “Knightmare” was having an obvious amount of fun, and it was easy to get the sense the section was doing so the right away (and its leaders then explained how the section had changed the perception of the section from negative to positive). Well done.

Saginaw Swan Valley – Dancing, singing, costumes … the Vikings have plenty of fun. And having the narrator hang from the rim gets some extra credit for creativity.

Remember, vote for your favorite of the finalists on the MHSAA Facebook page beginning Feb. 19. 

This year’s winner will be announced Feb. 22 and recognized during the Boys Basketball Finals, March 22 at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. 

And for the rest of this year's applicants ... it's never too early to start brainstorming for Battle of the Fans III. 

PHOTO: Frankenmuth hosted the MHSAA for its "Christmas Night" game against Bridgeport on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy of Chip DeGrace.). 

Performance of the Week: Mendon's Cienna Nightingale

June 19, 2025

Cienna Nightingale headshotCienna Nightingale ♦ Mendon
Junior ♦ Softball

Nightingale became the fourth sibling from her family to win an MHSAA Finals championship, doing so in historic style. She was one of three Mendon players with two hits and drove in a team-high four runs to help the Hornets past Unionville-Sebewaing 11-1 in the Division 4 championship game at Secchia Stadium. The win clinched Mendon’s first Finals title in softball and ended USA’s five-season championship streak.

An all-state first-team selection this season and as a sophomore, Cienna joined three siblings in winning Finals titles for Mendon – her brother CJ was on a football champion in 2007, brother Chance won a football title in 2011 and sister Cierra won a Finals in volleyball in 2018. Cienna, the Hornets’ first baseman, also had a team-high two hits in her team’s 4-2 Semifinal win over Hillman to start the weekend. Nightingale also plays volleyball and basketball.

@mhsaasports 🥎POW: Cienna Nightingale #softball #mendon #hornets #finals #champion #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🥎POW: Cienna Nightingale #bridgerton #alani #book #tiktok #phone #red #heart #part2 #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

Previous 2024-25 honorees

June 12: Shaelyn Perry, South Lyon United girls lacrosse - Report
June 5:
Brock Morris, Southfield Christian track & field - Report
May 30:
Chloe Qin, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
May 23:
Drew Goik, Bay City Western golf - Report
May 15:
Sydney Kuhn, Saginaw Swan Valley track & field - Report
May 8:
Ryan Bosch, Fruitport baseball - Report
May 1:
Jackson Lam, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix track & field - Report
April 25:
Isabelle Horvath, Bangor softball - Report
April 18:
Presley Jones, Sterling Heights Stevenson soccer - Report
April 11:
Olivia Jasniewicz, Troy soccer - Report
March 27:
Katie Spicer, Fowler basketball - Report 
March 21:
Moses & Markus Blackwell; Warren Lincoln basketball - Report
March 13: Keyshawn Summerville, Lansing Sexton basketball - Report
March 6: 
Maggie Buurma, Fowlerville wrestling - Report
Feb. 28: 
Maren Studt, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep skiing - Report
Feb. 21: 
Olive Krueger, Marquette swimming - Report
Feb. 14: 
Hunter Lemmon, Fraser swimming - Report
Feb. 7: 
Aubrey Hillard, Rochester competitive cheer - Report
Jan. 31: 
Wyatt Spalo, Reed City wrestling - Report
Jan. 24: 
Olivia Flynn, Harbor Springs basketball - Report
Jan. 17: 
Levi Rozema, Holland Christian swimming - Report
Jan. 10: 
McRecco McFadden, Burton Bentley basketball - Report
Dec. 18: 
Nash Leonard, Bay City Western hockey - Report
Dec. 11: 
Blake Cosby, Dundee wrestling - Report
Dec. 4: 
Keaton Hendricks, Zeeland West football - Report
Nov. 29: 
Kate Simon, East Grand Rapids swimming - Report
Nov. 22: 
Ella Kokaly, Essexville Garber volleyball - Report
Nov. 15: 
Caroline Bryan, Grosse Pointe South swimming - Report
Nov. 8: 
Kaylie Livingston, Whitmore Lake cross country - Report
Oct. 25: 
Oliver Caldwell, Grand Rapids West Catholic tennis - Report
Oct. 18: 
Alex Graham, Detroit Cass Tech football - Report
Oct. 11: 
Victoria Garces, Midland Dow cross country - Report
Oct. 4: 
Asher Clark, Bay City John Glenn soccer - Report
Sept. 26: 
Campbell Flynn, Farmington Hills Mercy volleyball - Report
Sept. 19: 
TJ Hansen, Freeland cross country - Report
Sept. 12: 
Jordan Peters, Grayling soccer - Report
Sept. 6: 
Gabe Litzner, Sault Ste. Marie cross country - Report
Aug. 30:
 Grace Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis golf - Report

(Photos by Nicci Plummer/Behind the Lens Photography.)