The annual Variety Show is very well known at South, but what people aren’t familiar with is the secret basketball game between two groups a week before their performances: the Singer Dancers and the Comedy Troupe. Although these groups are seen by thousands on stage, they also face off in a secret, but friendly, game of basketball that’s held each year, according to senior Helen Neppl, a member of Comedy Troupe.

“Comedy Troupe and Singer Dancers are the two [recurring] groups that do V-Show every year,” Neppl said. “There’s always been a rivalry because it’s the two groups you audition for before V-Show even starts.”

Like the V-Show itself, the Singer Dancers and Comedy Troupe basketball game has been a tradition for many years. Even V-Show’s co-director Robert Shellard participated in the basketball game as a Singer Dancer when he was a student at South.

“It’s been going on since I went to high school,” Shellard said. “I was a Singer Dancer from 2007-2009, and I played in it as a student.”

Since both Singer Dancers and Comedy Troupe are in so many acts each year, the last few weeks counting down to the show can be stressful, according to senior Emily Prillaman, a Singer Dancer.

“It’s just a fun way to get together,” Prillaman said. “Comedy Troupe and Singer Dancers are both prominently featured in the show, and we spend a lot of time preparing for it, so coming together and having a break time dedicated to this fun activity is just a great way to celebrate all their hard work.”

The two groups hold a special time for the basketball game each year, usually in the final week before the show. The two groups go out to brunch after the basketball game as well, so  they can bond before showtime.

“It’s usually closer to the week of the [last] Saturday rehearsal in the morning,” Prillaman said. “After the basketball game, we go to a celebratory breakfast with Comedy Troupe.”

Although the competition between the groups may seem intense, both groups express that the basketball game is a great way for both groups to bond. Even though Neppl can be seen on the court annually with the desire to win, she assures that the “rivalry” between the groups is just for fun. Prillamen agrees with this notion that they actually are close friends.

“Everyone just pretends to have a rivalry, but we’re all still friends outside of school,” Prillaman said. “The competition is fun, and having a winner at the end of the day is something to bond over.”

Adding to the excitement, the Singer Dancers and Comedy Troupe wear creative outfits each year as part of their respective uniforms for the game. Despite the tradition of the game and rivalry associated with it, these two groups are able to unite before they are given the immense task of performing for the entire community on stage for four days straight.

“The Singer Dancers wear all black because we’re here to win,” Prillaman said. “We go all out, with face paint, bandanas, and sweatpants for intimidation.”

Due to their larger size with more players to swap out with, the Singer Dancers usually prevail against Comedy Troupe. Luckily, there aren’t any hard feelings between the two groups, and most end the game with laughs and fun, Neppl assured.

Alongside working with a group for many intense hours and rehearsals, lots of new memories are made and traditions live on. The basketball game is one of many traditions; others consist of meeting up before each show or sharing very special moments with close friends, Neppl explained.

“It’s such a fun tradition, and I get to hang out with all my friends in Comedy Troupe and Singer Dancers,” Neppl said. “It’s a time where you can make new friends in your group and other groups.”