Fan buses travel to Elite 8 games with girls’ basketball team

Diego Gil and Adrielle McNeal • March 17, 2026 • 90 Views

Hype up. Basketball players are announced at the start of the game. The starters were announced and cheered for from both teams.

On Friday March 13, the girls’ basketball team went up against Cardinal O’Hara High School. The girls emerged victorious with a score of 38-37. The school took a fan bus of students to the game. Students attending the game hoped to bring up the energy and cheer on their classmates.

“I wanted to go to the game to watch the girls with my friends and so they (the team) have support,” sophomore Jenna Weyant said.

“I wanted to go to the game because it was a good opportunity to watch our fellow classmates,” sophomore Nevaeh McClellan said. “They constantly have people supporting them so they’re not overwhelmed.”

Coach Chris Fleegle feels that the additional fan support helped the girls throughout the game.

“It means a lot to them,” Fleegle said. “Having your peers behind you either at school or at the actual game cheering them on gives them extra motivation. The support we had against Cardinal O’Hara was that little extra we needed to help us get over the hump.”

“I knew it would be exciting, and I needed to support the team,” junior Mason Mitchell said. “We’re loud, and [it] really gives them a boost of energy. ”

The girls are set to face Dallastown in the next round.

“I feel excited, and I think that we will have a lot of support from the school,” senior Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore said. “I also feel that we are well prepared to win this game.”

Coach Fleegle is grateful for the support the team is receiving.

“I am extremely proud not only for the girls playing on this team but the whole community,” Fleegle said. “We have had a ton of support from the AASD Administration, the AASD community as whole, the parents on our team, the student body, and the local businesses that help fund the fan buses.”

After the final four game was rescheduled, the fan bus still planned to take student to the game on March 17 for continued fan support. Fans hope they will be planning a final trip to see the girls play in Hershey on Friday.

About the Contributors

Diego Gil, Reporter

Hi! My name is Diego Gil, and I’m a sophomore. This is my first year on the Mountain Echo staff. I’m a part of Mock Trial, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) and I’m the soccer team’s #12. If you catch me on the streets, it’s not me because I’m probably at home with my dogs. I’m extremely excited to write for the Mountain Echo, and I hope to make our publication just a little better.

Adrielle McNeal, Reporter

My name is Adrielle McNeal, and this is my second year as a Mountain Echo staff member. I took Intro to Pub my freshman year, and fell in love with the class. Along with Mountain Echo, I am an editor for the Horseshoe yearbook. Balancing both classes can be a lot, but it’s worth it. I also participate in the drama club and Black Student Union.

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief

Hey! During my third year on staff, my senior year, I have taken on the role of being Editor in Chief for Mountain Echo. My sophomore and junior year, I served as associate editor. Outside of school I enjoy hanging out with my best friend, exercising, watching Netflix, photography and working as a lifeguard and teaching swim lessons at the YMCA. After high school I plan to pursue a medical path, with the intent of being a nurse practitioner. I’m looking forward to this school year and seeing what it brings our way!