T-Wolves boxing, Viks rocking during spirit week

In the navy blue, silver and teal corner, it's the Lake City High School Timberwolves. In the royal blue and white corner, it's the Coeur d'Alene High School Vikings.

The cross-town rivals are ratcheting up the hype through schoolwide activities and themed spirit days as the minutes count down to Friday's Fight for the Fish basketball games and spirit competition.

"I really like how it gets the school together," said freshman spirit leader Frian Labesto on Wednesday as student council officers and spirit leaders rehearsed cheers in the Lake City cafeteria.

"School spirit isn't always at the forefront of students' minds, but with events like this, it comes out way brighter and bigger. That's what I love about this school."

Coeur d'Alene High School's theme this year is "Rock and Roll," an idea that came directly from the student body.

"We brainstormed as many themes as we could think of, anything under the sun," said Coeur d'Alene High senior and ASB President Lyla Bailey. "It had been one of the many ideas originally thrown out there. We took a final vote and it won."

Vikings rocked through spirit days, including Band Merch Monday, Tour Bus Tuesday and Backstage Blackout Wednesday. Today is Fallen Fish Thursday, celebrating past Fight for the Fish themes such as Western, Viking Army, Jailbreak and Hawaiian, and the week will culminate Friday as everyone sports Viking white and blue. 

Coeur d'Alene is also raising money for the first-responder support nonprofit, the Red and Blue Foundation, in a callback to past Fight for the Fish efforts to rally the school around a cause during spirit week.

"I actually wanted to do something the week of," Lyla said. "We wanted to help give back."

Senior Jake Hasso, ASB vice president, said it's something that involves the entire community.

"It's just so large, which I think is really amazing that we're able to work with all these people and make it happen," he said.

Lake City's theme this year is "Rocky's Redemption," with creatively decorated hallways showcasing all things boxing: "Rocky," the motivational "We're in Your Corner," "Hall of Fame, and "The Main Event," with one hallway featuring throwback themes from past Fight for the Fish spirit weeks.

"Fight for the Fish got canceled in 2022 when that was our theme, so now we're doing a 'Redemption,'" Lake City High ASB President Tessa Petersen said.

The whole school is looking forward to this year's spirit competition, Tessa said.

"We got custom-made boxing robes for our spirit packs this year, they're navy and teal, so that's exciting," she said. "Our shirt turned out really good."

It's Tessa's fourth and final Fight for the Fish.

"Everyone always talks about your senior year being really big, and this being the biggest event is really exciting," she said, smiling. "I'm soaking up the week."

The wooden Fish trophy currently hangs on the wall at Lake City High, where it has been on display for three years. The Timberwolves have won the spirit competitions several times since the event began in 1999. But it does swim back to Coeur d'Alene High when the Vikings best the T-Wolves in a competition steeped in school spirit, enthusiasm and a whole lot of cheering.

Tessa, who is following in the footsteps of her parents, who were active with the student council and student activities when they were Lake City students, said it's a long-lived tradition.

"My absolute favorite thing is watching the kids who are on the quieter side fully come out of their shells," she said. "Of course, it's a rivalry, but one thing I am so proud of is we don't say bad things about CHS, we highlight Lake City."

Chloe Crowley, junior class vice president, said she loves the student involvement of Fight for the Fish.

"As a community, it really brings us all together, a lot of demographics you don't usually see participate in these types of events," she said. "Everyone cheers together, we have the same outfits on. That's really good for your school to bond."

Principal Bryan Kelly appreciates the excitement and the school spirit on display.

"It just brings everybody who might be all over the place together," he said. 

A special tribute will take place during the evening, adding to the event's community aspect.

"These kids put a lot of time in, both schools really jump in," Kelly said. "Our kids just really want to show our culture and our pride at Lake City High School."

The Fight for the Fish basketball games and spirit competition will be at Lake City High, 6101 N. Ramsey, on Friday night. Girls play at 5:30. Boys take the court at 7. Tickets are $7.

    Lake City High School seniors lead cheer rehearsal during lunch Wednesday in preparation for Friday's Fight for the Fish spirit competition. From left: Miranda FitzSimmons, Spencer Heasty, Brady Duce, Aidan Smith and Drew Nicholson.
  

    Junior Class Representative Samuel Smith proudly displays the 2026 Lake City High Fight for the Fish T-shirt as he helps distribute spirit packs Wednesday.
  

    Coeur d'Alene High School senior and ASB secretary Sophia Shtein shows off a decorated hallway with the "Rock and Roll" theme Wednesday before a Fight for the Fish assembly.
  

    Freshman Alyssa Weisenbach walks under a balloon arch in the "Rocky" hallway Wednesday at Lake City High.
  

    Coeur d'Alene High School students rehearse a rockin' skit Wednesday as they prepare for the Fight for the Fish spirit competition.
  

    ASB President Tessa Petersen conducts a call-and-answer cheer during lunch Wednesday at Lake City High School.