The 6th Man brings life and energy to basketball games

At each and every boys’ basketball game, you can expect to see many things. The team will play hard, baskets will be scored, and the 6th Man will be cheering for our Mavericks relentlessly. 10 junior and senior students make up the 6th Man, who formed in 2011. At every game, they are the leaders of the student section, keeping the fans, players, and parents in tune to the game at all times.

“They bring a comedic element to basketball games,” said junior Joe Bravo. The group dress up in many different themes, such as Star Wars, Country, Hawaiian, and Neon outfits. The 6th Man have proved to impact games for as long as they have been around, going crazy during opposing free throws and getting in the heads of opposing players and coaches.

“My favorite moment from this season has been when I pulled out a lightsaber from Star Wars, and asked the South Lyon player to duel during his free throw. He missed both,” said junior 6th Man member Conner Jensen. Other favorite moments of the 6th Man include wearing a police officer uniform against Lakeland and starting a chant that completely shut down the South Lyon East offense.

The 6th Man start off each game day by deciding what outfits to wear and what specific chants would best help the team win. The combination of noise, intensity, and pure comedy give the Mavericks a home court advantage like no other in the KLAA

“During a free throw, I see them in the corner of my eye, and I know I’m going to make the shot,” said senior forward Sammy Lee. “They just make games fun.” Senior guard Michael Varlese has been around the 6th Man ever since his brother was a part of it, from 2013-14.

“The tradition we have going is something special,” Varlese said.

Through the 2014-15 season, 333 of the 351 NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball teams have winning home records (according to rpiratings.com), proving that having home support plays a major factor. The same goes for high school basketball, and the 6th Man set out each game to help in any way they can.

“We’re just a great group of guys trying to get in the other team’s head,” said junior 6th Man member Ben Goedert. While the group is made up of only juniors and seniors, they know that how they act at the game has a lasting impact on the younger fans.

“We hope that the rest of the fans at our games look up to us, and follow our lead,” added junior 6th Man member Mitchell Hayes. “Every other student section in the KLAA needs to watch out.”

The 6th Man will follow the team to home and away games for the remainder of the year, and while the other team’s fans might perceive them as goofballs, the players truly appreciate them.

“They may not always be the biggest crowd, but they sure do show out every game,” said Lee.

Since 2011, they have defended Milford from opposing teams, and Boys’ Freshman basketball coach Chris Orr remembers the 6th Man from when he played here at Milford.

“The 2011-12 group was the best one,” added Orr. The original group of guys helped the team on their way to becoming the 2012 KLAA West Champions. And, since their creation, they have been the ones to provide a spark to the team that wouldn’t normally be there without them.

“They bring that next level energy that the team can’t provide. It’s unreal that we have those boys on our side and they’ll be with us cutting down those nets come March,” added Varlese.