COEUR d'ALENE — Two local high schools are revving their engines and paying homage to the Caped Crusader this week as they prepare for Friday's Fight for the Fish basketball games and spirit competition.

"I love Fight for the Fish," Lake City High School junior class treasurer Scout Brown said Tuesday. "I think it’s the coolest experience, and it’s my favorite memories from both sophomore and freshman year.”

The annual basketball games and spirited tournament to win the coveted wooden fish trophy begin at 5 p.m. Friday at Coeur d'Alene High School, 5530 N. Fourth St. Tickets are $10.

Since the first Fight for the Fish in 1998, the fish bounced from Coeur d'Alene to Lake City depending on which school triumphed in winning over judges with the most energized cheers, innovative themes and creatively decorated buildings. Lake City gained the upper hand and refused to return the fish for nine years until Coeur d'Alene broke that streak in 2020. The following year, the fish swam back to Lake City, where it has resided ever since.

Will Coeur d'Alene reclaim the fish this year, or will Lake City take yet another dynasty win?

Race for the fish

Coeur d'Alene High School has shifted into high gear with a NASCAR theme, including high-octane cheers and roaring routines to get every Viking on board.

“I think it’s going to be electric,” Coeur d'Alene High Student Body President Payton Conn said. “I am so excited. This freshman class this year is awesome, so I think they’re going to carry us. They’re going to bring the spirit and we’re going to win the fish, obviously.”

Junior Camden Johnson, the spirit leader for Coeur d'Alene's student council, said the spirit is high this year.

"You can always be more spirited, but I think we are really hyped up this year and really energetic," he said. "I think we are going to bring the fish back to its rightful home.” 

The students landed on a NASCAR theme after polling their peers. Payton said some students felt the student council wasn't listening, so they went out and gathered input from the classmates they represent.

About 500 responses came in, and many of the students agreed NASCAR was the way to go.

“We’re excited about this theme,” he said. “We do these reflections after these big events and a lot of times I feel like we don’t pay attention enough, so we really got down into the nitty gritty the past couple years — why are we losing, what are some weaknesses — and we really want to find creative ways to get the student body involved, simple things like that adds to the competition.” 

Junior Annika Hain, student body secretary, said the NASCAR theme has been in the running for Coeur d'Alene for a decade.

"With all the feedback that we got, we just decided to go for it,” she said. “I really like Fight for the Fish. I think it’s overall everybody’s favorite event at our school. We’re always bummed when we lose, but I think it brings us together and we’re just happy to be around each other and have fun."

The dark wolf rises

Lake City is covered with paper bats and imaginative references to the "Batman" universe as students get ready to "fight 4 the night."

Themed hallways of villains Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, the Riddler and Joker coincide with the seniors' Bat Cave. Students have been working on their decorations and vision since September.

“Every single thing here is handmade or bought at the Dollar Tree,” Lake City ASB secretary Tessa Petersen said. "I'm so excited. Our hype has been so good, even with the kids at lunches. Everyone’s been participating."

The school's spirit days this year included "Batman's Day Off," "Sidekick Day" and "Anything but a Batpack, Don't Bring Your Backpack!" during which students brought their belongings to school in everything from shopping carts and wheelbarrows to beach bags and dresser drawers. 

“It’s the big time of the year,” Junior Class President Andy Everson said. "It's one of the big things in student council that we look forward to.”

Timberwolves have been buying their spirit packs filled with T-shirts and Batman swag, as well as practicing cheers to try to blow out the competition.

“It’s my favorite week of the year," ASB Vice President Logan Anderson said. "It just really brings the school together and it really shows how much spirit, passion and pride we have in this school. I’m really thankful for the students from previous years for setting this tradition for us. Now it’s just up to us this year to keep up the spirit."

    Coeur d'Alene High school cheer captain and senior Sophia McGinnis-Green, front right, helps lead the school in Fight for the Fish spirit cheers Tuesday during practice ahead of Friday's games against Lake City High.
  

    Kyli Swofford, a Lake City High junior, is decked out with Batman PJs as she rolls her stuff through the school in a shopping cart during Tuesday's "Anything but a Backpack" spirit day.
  

    From left, Coeur d'Alene High School seniors Payson Irwin, Tyler Voorhees and Cooper Irwin are ready for the fish to swim back as they pose for a photo Tuesday. “We’re taking it this year," Tyler said. "This is our year.”
  

    Lake City High School ASB Vice President Logan Anderson hollers during cheer practice Tuesday in preparation for Friday's Fight for the Fish spirit contest against Coeur d'Alene High.
  

    Coeur d'Alene High School Student Body President Payton Conn rolls past a NASCAR poster Tuesday after Fight for the Fish cheer practice.