Stages don’t get any bigger for local dance teams

By MITCH MAERSCH

Ozaukee Press staff

They have danced in large gyms and at huge competitions, but the Port Washington and Grafton high school dance teams never performed in an NBA arena.

Until Jan. 25.

Both teams danced at halftime of the girls’ basketball game in the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, home of the Milwaukee Bucks.

“It was amazing. It was an like a once-in- a-lifetime experience that I think all of us are grateful for,” Port’s Tori Pokey said.

“It was super fun. I loved the lights. Loved the energy. It’s a beautiful floor,” her teammate Alexandra Princeton said.

“It was really exciting,” Port’s Izzy Santoro said.

Even Port senior Alyssa Hovey, who broke her foot two weeks ago, was happy to support her team.

“I still get to be a part of everything and watch these girls strive for everything that they got. It’s really awesome to be able to see it from the floor,” she said.

The performance was three days before regional competition in Watertown last Saturday.

“It was insane. I think it was a great opportunity to be able to dance on a floor like that with state coming up in a few weeks, and I feel like we’re pretty prepared,” senior Elizabeth Princeton said.

Prepared they were. The Pirates finished second in Division 3 Pom of 11 teams and fourth in Division 2 Jazz of 10 teams, and will compete at state in La Crosse on Saturday, Feb. 4. Soloists Elizabeth Princeton and Hovey will try for a spot on the Division 2 All State Dance Team.

Abby and Sophia Shaub finished second in Division 2 Duet/Trio Division, and Hovey, Pokey and Elizabeth and Alexandra Princeton were second in the High School Ensemble Division.

Grafton was wowed by dancing at the Forum as well.

“It was really fun. I liked experiencing the floor,” senior Alena Huskanovic said.

“It was so cool. When they dimmed the lights, it’s exactly what it looks like on TV, and I’ve been to a ton of Bucks’ games,” senior Kayla Dembiec said.

“I can always see the halftime people at the game, so it’s cool to be the person everyone else is watching.”