Gym Rat Review: Central High School

The "Pit" at Central is a fun (and loud) place to watch a basketball game.

The “Pit” is always a fun place to watch a high school basketball game, with a cozy atmosphere that was lost by many schools in the area. It’s a true pit with a wall that separates the front row of the crowd from the court by about seven feet – vertically. Even if the crowds are smaller, it feels like the place is packed because any yelling reflects off every wall a couple times before fading away. When it’s packed? Well, it’s a whole lot of fun. Entering the gym takes a climb of a couple flights of stairs, which means concessions and restrooms are well-removed from your seats. Just outside the gymnasium (at the top of the stairs) is a modest trophy case displaying some of the Bulldogs finest accomplishments.

Grade Card
Overall: B+

Parking: B+
The large lot behind Central is deep and narrow, so you’ll be able to find a spot, but the first few rows fill up quick.

Seating: C
Three-panel wood bleachers surround the “pit”. The aisles are wide and it’s not overly comfortable, but the view off the floor is great until you get toward the top, where parts of the action can get cut off.

Sound: C-
The acoustics make everything loud. There is plenty of sound, but not much coming through the speakers. It’s hit or miss whether there will be pre-game music or scoring announcements. According to the scoreboard operator, it all depends on a third staffer at the table.

Court paint: B
Sure the Bulldog at center court is a bit dated, but the simple red and black paint job, combined with boxy lettered text keeps that mid-20th Century feel. It reads “Welcome to The Pit” near the sideline in front of the scorer’s table and either baseline reads “Central” or “Bulldogs”. The boundaries are marked in black and the lanes are natural.

Star Spangled Banner: A
A Central student performed a poppy, breathy rendition of the National Anthem, which received a large ovation from the crowd.

While the chips are really crisp, I always enjoy the little splash of cheese that reaches a handful of chips.

Concessions: B
It’s a pretty standard selection at the concessions, plus cotton candy, at costs under $2. Unless you get extra cheese or jalapenos on your nachos or hot dog, you’ll stay at (or below) a couple bucks. The nachos are a little bit unorthodox, with the chips coming separate in their own bag. I ordered extra cheese (25 cents) and jalapenos (50 cents) as the last few gyms I’ve attended didn’t have nachos at all. The chips are incredibly crispy, near perfect, while the cheese has great consistency, but has a very buttery taste. It took a moment to decipher the flavor, but it was still an enjoyable nacho experience.

Cheerleading: A
There’s a squad at every home game, and they are loud. The acoustics of the gym don’t hurt. Many nights include a half-time performance from the Central Kilties Drum & Bugle Corp, a tradition which never lets you down.