The Highway 20 rivalry couldn’t separate the pep bands from West Delaware and Independence as they came together to play for their girls basketball teams on Friday, Dec. 15.

Around 120 students combined from both bands to play for pregame and halftime at Independence. 

“It was a great opportunity for the students to meet new people and make music at a whole new level,” West Delaware band director Johnathan Green said. “It serves as a great way to showcase our good sportsmanship.”

This was not the first time the two bands have played together.

“Independence came to West Delaware last year, and we hung out in the band room and then played for the basketball teams,” said senior Colin Reth, bass guitar player. “It’s fun to have another band come over because it feels like a breath of fresh air. I met another bass guitarist, which was nice because it’s nice to meet someone who shares a commonality.”

This was, however, the first time that both bands played each other’s fight song.

“Everyone knows how we feel about Independence in terms of our rivalry,” senior Landon Then said. “But playing their fight song was definitely interesting.”

Although many students from both schools were absent or unable to attend, it didn’t stop the bands from playing loud enough to shake the walls and rafters.

“It was so loud that when the refs were talking to us before the game, we had to be an inch away to even hear them,” girls basketball player Josie McMahon said. “It’s fun when the pep band plays because other people are coming to watch us play, and I hope they continue playing at our games in the future.”