The Crestwood Crazies stand with Portage Sports owner Tom Nader after winning the Golden Basketball Trophy on Thursday.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Portage Sports Golden Basketball Trophy for the 2023-24 season was presented to Crestwood High School on Thursday afternoon by Portage Sports owner Tom Nader.

Portage Sports owner Tom Nader (left) stands with Crestwood’s Charlie Sommer after presenting the Golden Basketball Trophy to Crestwood High School on Thursday.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

Nader delivered the trophy to Crestwood, and its “Crestwood Crazies” student section, at a pep assembly that was coordinated by the Red Devils.

The Golden Basketball Trophy is awarded in an annual competition to determine the best student section throughout the course of the high school basketball season.

The trophy was graded weekly on eight categories that included: Theme creativity, theme participation, attendance, chant volume, chant creativity, spirit signs, sportsmanship and environment.

Crestwood’s winning score came in its home game against Cardinal on Jan. 26 when the Crestwood Crazies helped the school score a 39 (out of 40).

“The idea to rate the student sections is exactly what Crestwood needed to aid our organization in bringing back school spirit,” Crestwood athletic director Troy Spiker said. “Along with our district’s amazing secretaries and student groups, led by Mrs. Tayerle, Mrs. Krueger, Mrs. Thigpen, the cheerleaders and the Community Service class, Mr. Nader ignited the Crazies this past season.”

The trophy presented to Crestwood was a gold leather basketball that featured a mural paint design that was conceptualized and painted by Tallmadge High School art teacher Ali Eads.

Crestwood’s Charlie Sommer accepts and lifts the Portage Sports Golden Basketball Trophy into the air during a pep assembly on Thursday.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

“Crestwood is thankful to the student-led “Crazies,” the student body and our school organizations for the positive, electrifying and school-spirited student section and environment. … They have accepted the challenge to bring it all back next year.”