Basketball, Music, and Pep Band.

There are always a few people you expect to see at a basketball game: coaches, players, cheerleaders, the crowd, workers, and, of course, the band.

Whether at a football or basketball game, it’s hard to miss the pep band as music echoes across the court or campus.

At Saturday’s basketball game, the band made its presence known. The girls had only 30 seconds left when WSC was down 57-56 against NSU.

The whole crowd was on edge, and when a timeout was called, the pep band grabbed their instruments and played one of their songs.

When the action started again, everyone in the crowd stood up, and the onlookers went wild as WSC won the game 58-57.

The band then played the girls out as the boys took the court for their game.

Most people in the crowd stayed standing for the victory the girls had just pulled out as the band played on.

“We play the whole time for the girls games. The girls are always good, but whenever we play they always win,” clarinet player Laura Guenther said.

Between the players, the cheerleaders, and the pep band, either filling the court with music or cheering, there’s something special about how everything comes together.

“After the game Saturday, I walked by the pep band and said thank you. It’s great having them in the crowd, they’re so enthusiastic,” basketball player Sadie Murren said.

She also enjoys having the band play before the game, because she feels it helps all of the players get pumped up.

“From an environment and atmosphere standpoint, they affect it more than anyone else in the building,” coach Chris Kielsmeier said. “A big part of college basketball is the band.”

Kielsmeier said he particularly liked the passion of the WSC band and how the members played.

Whether music is ringing across the court or around campus, it’s hard to miss the enthusiastic cheering of band members, even when they’re not playing.

Until the very last buzzer, the band will play on.