SoCal Student Section of the Week (02/13/2020): Canyon Tribe

Photo credit/Colette Tagayun

 

 

This past week made me proud to be a Canyon Comanche.

The Canyon Tribe of Anaheim has been one of the best basketball student sections in Orange County year after year. Quite the change from when I was a member of the Tribe in 2004.

The Tribe has packed the gym and more so during rivalry games.

Last week was no different.

Despite being short of student section members with a soccer game in one city and a girls basketball game in another city, the Tribe, which was in a different city and had to step it up.

They did that against Villa Park and the Blue Crew for the second round of the ‘Battle of the Hills’ last week.

The Blue Crew came ready to go and as expected, it was a student section battle with both schools.

The game on the hardwood was also just as good as the entertainment in the bleachers. 

The Comanches defense put the brakes on the Villa Park offense in the third quarter to take a big lead, which got the Tribe going.

Canyon took the lead, the sweep and the Crestview League title. It was enough to propel the Tribe to the top and after going to the polls with the three other best student sections in Southern California, the Tribe took the SoCal Student Section of the week title.

We spoke with Tribe leaders Alex Robinson, Chandler Linn and Brian Barraza on what it took to be the best student section in Southern California last week.

 

You guys are the So Cal Student Section of the Week,  beating out the Upland Dogpound, Walnut Stable, Sage Creek Bob Squad. What did it take to stand out as one of the best in Southern California?

Robinson: I think what made the Tribe stand out was our dedication to our school. Every member of the Tribe loves going to Canyon High School and because of that it helps make our student section one of the best.

You guys always battle with the Villa Park Blue Crew in the Battle of the Hills. How much does this rivalry mean to you?

Barraza: This rivalry is the biggest game of the year for us. Everyone is always so hyped for it, tickets sell out days ahead, and year after year the game is always really great. Both sides bring their A games and the student sections do the same. Although we always want to win and be the better and crazier student section at the game, there is a shared mutual respect for one another. Because of this, it is always so much fun and something not to be missed out on.

What is your most memorable game you have ever attended as a member of the student section?

Linn: I think the most memorable game I have ever attended as a member of the Tribe would be the 2020 Battle of the Hills game, round one, at Canyon. This game was back and forth the whole time, sold out, standing room only, had a crazy ending, and Canyon somehow managed to win the game by one point. Canyon 53, Villa Park 52. 

Favorite theme?

Barraza: Our favorite theme would definitely be our #tribed theme. During these games everyone wears black and gold and other Canyon gear. It is something easy to participate in and almost everyone wears stuff to those games. This theme is always looked forward to by everyone in the Tribe.

Favorite chant?

Linn: Our favorite chant would have to be “C-C-C-A-N…Y-Y-Y-O-N…C-A-N..Y-O-N…C-H-S-LETS GO GOLD!” This chant always gets the student section fired up and everyone knows it.

What’s your least favorite chant that you hear from the other side of the stadium/gym?

Barraza: Our least favorite chant that opponents say is “LET’S PLAY FOOTBALL!” It is way overused and we already know that football is not one of the best sports at our school. You don’t need to tell us that.

Outside of you guys, is there one student section that you have seen or heard about where you think, “Man, that is a good student section?”

Robinson: One student section that we’ve been really impressed by is San Juan Hills Football “RFTB” Section. We would love to model our football student section after theirs and wish ours was as crazy and hype as theirs.