By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Portage Sports proudly presented Southeast High School the 2026 Golden Basketball Trophy on Friday afternoon at a pep assembly at the school.

Southeast was awarded the trophy for their excellent school spirit shown by their student section throughout the 2025-26 high school boys and girls basketball seasons.

“We had an incredible winter sports season and many exciting moments,” Southeast athletic director Patrick Youel said. “Some of those moments were made by our students supporting each other.

“Southeast is a special place and our kids are second to none when it comes to supporting each other,” Youel added. “Our Pep Club organized some awesome themes and throughout the winter season our kids showed up and showed out for each other. The Golden Basketball is an awesome representation of the camaraderie of building and our community. It is special for us to win this award and we are so thankful that Portage Sports selected us and our kids. It was awesome to have you out today to present it to our entire student body.”

The trophy is awarded annually in a competition amongst student fan sections throughout the course of the season, with weekly grades that include eight different categories: Theme creativity, theme participation, attendance, chant volume, chant creativity, spirit signs, sportsmanship and overall game environment.

The Golden Basketball Trophy is in its fourth year of existence, with previous winners being Mogadore, Crestwood and Kent Roosevelt.

This year’s trophy, painted by Ali Eads, took on an entirely new level of beauty and creativity. It features art inspired by the school’s Pirates mascot themes.