With more than a dozen sports and both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams at PDS, Panthers have so many games each season to watch. From the cheers echoing across the soccer fields to the buzzer-beating intensity in the gym, every sport brings its own kind of energy. When asked which sports are the most exciting to watch, students had strong and insightful opinions.
Soccer and hockey emerged as the star favorites, praised for their fast pace, constant action, and crowd atmosphere. Basketball also earned love for its intensity. A few students even shouted out sports they didn’t expect to enjoy until coming to PDS. For example, senior Ian Latanision said his favorite sport to watch is, “Squash—I didn’t even know it existed until I came to PDS.”
But no matter the sport, one thing students agreed on was the power of the Panther student section. Fans said that energy is everything—hype brings games to life, and a packed, loud crowd can transform a regular match into a highlight moment. As sophomore Sam Roman said, “If there is no hype, there is no fun.” Athletes echoed this sentiment too. Many said they simply play better with fans behind them, and some even described the student section as one of their biggest sources of motivation. As a squash athlete, Latanision said, “It used to make me nervous, but now I can’t go without a crowd.” Sophomore soccer player Nicky Cardona echoed, “A bigger and more energetic crowd motivates me and makes me play a lot better.” Among all the memorable moments, senior nights, state tournaments, and rivalry games, the legendary annual PDS vs. Lawrenceville hockey is repeatedly named as the most electric moment on campus.
In the end, Panther spirit shows up in every sport. Soccer and hockey may have taken the top spots for crowd energy and drama, but every sport has its own hype moment, and every game feels bigger when the stands are filled with students. So grab a friend, find a match you’ve enjoyed the most—or one you’ve never watched before—and be part of the next unforgettable Panther moment!
