High School Basketball Team Surprises 4th Grade Hype Squad

The varsity players showed up in full force to cheer on their young fans at a 4th grade game.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A high school basketball team in Salt Lake City, Utah, surprised their 4th grade superfans by showing up en masse to cheer them on at one of their games. The 4th graders had been enthusiastically supporting the high school team all season, so the varsity players decided to return the favor and provide a huge morale boost for their young supporters.

Why it matters

This heartwarming story highlights the power of community, mentorship, and sportsmanship. The high school players' gesture of support for the 4th graders not only lifted the younger team's spirits, but also demonstrated the positive impact that older students can have on their younger peers.

The details

The 4th grade basketball players had been attending the high school games for the past couple of years, even getting jerseys with the same name as the varsity team. Their enthusiasm and dedication as a cheering section caught the attention of the high schoolers, who decided to surprise the 4th graders by showing up at one of their games. When the varsity team arrived, the 4th graders were overjoyed, jumping up and down and waving posters. The high school players' support helped the 4th grade team come back and win their game.

  • The 4th graders had been attending the high school games for the past couple of years.
  • The 4th grade game where the high school team surprised them took place the day after the high school team had an upset victory in a playoff game.

The players

Abby White

The mother of 4th grader Owen White, who was part of the 4th grade basketball team that was surprised by the high school team.

Dash Reiser

A senior on the high school basketball team who rallied his teammates to attend the 4th grade game and support the younger players.

Owen White

A 4th grade basketball player whose team was surprised by the high school team showing up to support them.

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What they’re saying

“They've been going (to games) the past couple of years. This year, they got jerseys that said Alta, which is the same name as the high school. And I think that kind of fueled their fandom a little bit — they felt like a part of something bigger.”

— Abby White, mother of 4th grader Owen White (today.com)

“I knew as soon as we made that announcement that everyone was going to come because we have great kids in our program that love supporting others.”

— Dash Reiser, high school senior (today.com)

What’s next

The high school team's gesture of support for the 4th graders has inspired the local community and sparked discussions about the importance of mentorship and sportsmanship in youth sports.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story demonstrates the positive impact that older students can have on their younger peers through acts of kindness and community support. The high school basketball team's surprise appearance at the 4th grade game not only lifted the spirits of the younger players, but also reinforced the values of teamwork, camaraderie, and good sportsmanship.