A Pit Crew with rows of some of Pitman’s most recognizable faces, a Pitman cheer squad amping up the energy, and a group of Pride teachers and staff are all hallmarks of a Pitman High School home game. But this time, it was all 15 miles north of the Pitman High gym – this was an away game at James C. Enochs High School.
On Friday, the 24th of January 2025, the Pitman Pride Varsity Boys’ Basketball team faced off against the Enochs Eagles Varsity Boys’ Basketball team at En
ochs High in Modesto. And the stakes going into this matchup had gotten high for students on both sides.
It was Winter Homecoming for the Eagles, explaining an almost-fully packed entourage student section. The Pride had just lost to the Turlock Bulldogs 47-56 two days prior, meaning that this game was the battle for the number one spot in our CCAL League – so tension was high.
By the end of the school day, around two dozen of Pitman High’s 12th grade students organized to head over to Enochs that night, including ASB Green Team President Grant Day. They’d also contacted members of Pitman Cheer to come support our Boys’ Basketball team at the 7:30 PM game.
Most Pitman students arrived around 7 PM, getting together with friends from Enochs and meeting new faces before the game started. But when the game started, the pleasantries ended.
The matchup itself between the Eagles and the Pride has always been one of the more interesting pairings every year; with the same Pitman @ Enochs game last year staying close but ending 43 – 57 with a Pride victory. This year was even closer, with the Eagles amping up their defense.
However, the Pride never disappoints. The night ended with a 52 – 57, the Pride winning again with a multi-row Pit Crew cheering them on alongside Pitman Cheer, and asserting the top spot in the League.
And just as this unexpected crossover began with friendliness between the Eagles and the Pride’s students, postgame festivities meant even more getting acquainted with one another.
Much of the Pit Crew headed to Raising Cane’s on Pelandale Ave, across Modesto from Enochs and on the way to Highway 99. A smaller group of Pitman and Enochs students branched off to the McDonald’s by SF Market on Oakdale Road, closer to the site of Pitman’s victory.
While the McDonald’s group consisted mostly of students who already knew each other, stories and messages quickly took over Pitman’s Instagram circles of the Cane’s group running into students from Enochs and Gregori High Schools. One Pitman senior reported the coincidence of it all, anonymously stating:
“We didn’t know any of them there, we just met them at Cane’s.”
The combined Pitman-Enochs-Gregori group filled up the outdoor patio of the Cane’s, walking away with newfound connections and friendships. Meanwhile the group at McDonald’s was also having a load of fun, with one Enochs 11th grade student saying:
The Eagles and the Pride face off again this Friday afternoon (2/7) in the Pitman High Gym.
“Just because we go to opposing schools across the county from each other, who says we can’t be friends?”
Pitman Assistant Principal for Activities, Mr. Luis Jacinto, had this to say about students from different schools participating in events and interacting with one another:
“When high school students engage in activities together, whether academic or extracurricular, they gain a variety of benefits. These include improved social skills, diverse perspectives, enhanced school spirit, and increased student participation.
These benefits not only enhance their high school experience but also help them develop much needed skills to become well-rounded individuals.”
The night ended with Pitman students heading home to Turlock, bidding farewell for now to their newfound Modesto friends. However, even parting didn’t mean festivities were over about this game for the Pride.
Additional celebratio
n was required as this victory meant that Boys’ Basketball Head Coach and Pitman teacher Mr. Harvey Marable had achieved 300 wins at Pitman High, with 400 total career wins.
Our Pitman High Athletic Director and Math teacher, Mr. Dustin Curtiss, had this message for Mr. Marable:
“Congratulations to Coach Marable. 300 wins is an amazing accomplishment for any coach and is a testament to the time and effort he has put into coaching basketball at Pitman High.
His commitment to our athletes development, on and off the court, is observed on a daily basis and should be noted with this accomplishment. Congrats Coach.”
Congratulations to Coach Marable and the Varsity Boys’ Basketball team on this significant victory and kudos to the Pitman Class of 2025 and Pitman Cheer for showing their true Pride spirit. Never settle, never quit, Roll Pride!