Fans cheer Irish triumph

But for some fans in attendance, like Lew and Elsa Stewart, following their respective team is an all-season job.

“We never miss a game,� said the Stewarts, grandparents of York Catholic junior guard Megan Stewart. “We got back from Florida in February, and said we won’t go back there until they lose.�

The Stewarts, along with other York Catholic fans, will have to delay plans, as their Irish will battle for the state crown on Friday afternoon. York Catholic earned its first trip to the state finals since 1979 with Tuesday night’s 58-47 victory over the Squirettes, who had been the three-time defending state champions.

“It’s no problem to hold off on the plans,� Lew Stewart said.

With masks, costumes and team-oriented apparel, the cheering sections for the Irish and Squirettes were not lacking enthusiasm.

“We act on instinct,� said York Catholic fan Scott Rednak.

Rednak and Strine, both 21, actually graduated from Red Lion Area Senior High School, but have always been York Catholic fans — even during their days when they could have been supporting the Lions.

“I’m a big Notre Dame fan, so I like rooting for the Irish,� said Rednak, who sported a mask in the shape of a basketball. “I respect (York Catholic) Coach (Andy) Bria. He’s turning York Catholic into a powerhouse. I’m proud of what the team has been able to do.�

The men said they also supported the Lions during their time at Red Lion, but credit friendships at York Catholic for their love of the Irish.

“We know how much fan support meant to us when we played sports in high school,� Strine said. “We try and bring a new energy to the game.�

In terms of energy, the Delone Catholic faithful were wound up and ready to go from the opening tip-off Tuesday.

“We have a great team and they deserve our fan support,� said Gareth Hissong, a Delone senior. “Everyone’s excited, especially about the Catholic rivalry. We’re fairly close together, so it’s about bragging rights.�

This, of course, was not your average game. Not only because a berth in the state championship game was on the line, but because of each team’s history.

“The girls have been shooting for this for a number of years,� Lew Stewart said.

As is the case in big games, fans reacted to every shot with an explosion of happiness or a sigh of disbelief.

The Delone Catholic student section seemed to relish the excitement of the game, staying focused on the court action.

When a traveling violation was called on an Irish player, they responded with a “fun-da-mentals� chant.

The Delone faithful, also took shots at an always popular target: the officials,with this sarcastic melody: “I am blind, I can’t see, I must be a referee.�

However, it wasn’t just the Delone Catholic students who were loud; sometimes the adult fans were more boisterous and willed the students back to life.

Then, of course, there were the battles between the fans of each school.

Every time the York Catholic cheerleaders would start a cheer, the Delone student section would erupt into a chant of their own.

At one point in the second quarter, during a timeout, the Irish cheerleaders chanted “We are YC,� and the Delone students responded with a “Let’s Go Squirettes� chant.

The packed house at Dallastown produced quite an electric atmosphere. But only half the fans in attendance got to experience the thrill of victory.

“They finally did it,� Lew Stewart said of the York Catholic girls’ team, which was 0-23 in the 2002-03 season but is now just one victory away from a state championship.