The right music can make or break the experience for players and fans at Center Hill basketball games.

“The walkout song when the team appears is to hype the crowd and get them ready,” varsity boys basketball head coach Newton Mealer said. “The song that we play to introduce the team is to hype the team up.”

Some of the songs played at games include “The Love of the Game” by Matt D. Mayo and “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B. The main reason Mealer chose Mayo’s song for the walk out is because of his experience at game 6 of the NBA playoffs, when Michael Jordan played his last game with the Chicago Bulls. The song inspired him, Mealer said, so he knew it would do the same for his team.

“I started the tradition of the turn up zone to get students excited and be a part of our team,”  Mealer said.

The turn up zone is a main part of the hype, he said, not only because of the music but also because it creates a culture of connections between the team and fans.

“Letting students participate in the turn up zone is supposed to give a more personal experience with everyone and get the team ready for a great game,” Mealer said, adding that the music is also a good celebration after a victory.

Peyton Thornburg, a junior who attends most home games because of the fun environment, said his favorite hype song is “shoot” by BlocBoy JB.

“Next year I would like to hear more hype songs similar to ‘Rover 2.0’ by BlocBoy JB featuring 21 Savage,” Thornburg said. “All of the songs played got the the crowd ready and hyped for the game.“

Hype songs matter to the players too.

Davon “Worm” Kennick, a senior basketball player, said the walk out song “The Love of the Game” gave him energy and excited him this past season. However, the song that hyped him the most and got him ready to play is “My Dawg” by Lil Baby.

“Warm ups are very important to how we play,” Kennick said. “You have to get your mind right for the game. The music really helps us in our mind.”

Basketball hype songs

1. “Shoot” by BlocBoy JB
2. “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B
3. “Gotta Glo Up” by Chief Keef
4. “Save Me” by Chief Keef (boys runout)
5. “Swag Surfin” by Soulja Boy
6. “I’m So Groovy” by Future
7. “March Madness” by Future
8. “Juice” by Yo Gotti
9. “I get the bag” by Gucci Mane
10. “My Dawg” by Lil Baby
11. “Cocoon” by Migos
12. “What’s the Price” by Migos
13. “Magnolia (Milly Rock)” by Playboi Carti
14. “Chicago Bulls” by Matt D. Mayo