Bearden’s student section is one of the liveliest places for students to cheer on the Bulldogs.

With six spirited students officially leading the Dawg Pound, it is the place to be on Friday nights. 

Now that basketball season has arrived, though, one of its most enthusiastic leaders had to say goodbye to the stands to take the court.

Jake Poole is a senior on the basketball team who enjoyed his time pumping up the football student section this fall alongside fellow leaders Meghan Oros, Izzie Hummel, Anastasia James and Brady Frederick. 

“The best thing about being a student section leader is just having fun with all of my friends and all of the seniors out there and leading the chants, getting everyone hype, and just having a good time,” Poole said.

It has been difficult for Poole to temporarily leave his position at the front of the Dawg Pound, but he is excited to hand the megaphone to fellow leader Cayden Douglas for the basketball season. 

Douglas was a senior on the football team, so the two are essentially swapping roles as basketball season heats up.

“The saddest part is that you can’t have as much fun or get as hype anymore with friends,” Poole said. “Instead, I’ll be playing, and I hope they create the same environment for me.”

It has been a quick turnover for Poole to jump straight into the basketball season. 

“The basketball season is tough,” Poole said. “We have 2.5 hour practices every day and two games a week. 

“It is a big time commitment.” 

Douglas, who helped anchor the Bearden secondary during its postseason run, is now getting to lead the crowd that supported him in the fall. 

“I expect Cayden to get the student section hype for basketball games,” Poole said. “If he gets them to be loud, we will win.”

Aside from having to leave his position, Poole enjoyed having the opportunity to lead so many people to cheer on the Bulldogs at football games and is excited for the basketball season.

Make sure to follow @thebhsdawgpound on Instagram for updates on themes for basketball games.