Escalon will celebrate its Winter Homecoming with the crowning of a King at halftime of Friday night’s varsity basketball game against the Hughson Huskies.

Seniors in the running for King honors, in alphabetical order, are Lance Davis, son of Harry and Cindy Davis; Dominic Freeseha, son of Matt and Mary Freeseha; Ben Hood, son of Harold and Renelle Hood; Owen Pangilinan, son of Dan and Kelly Pangilinan; and Zachary Withrow, son of Patrick and Kathy Withrow. All five candidates have been involved in sports and a variety of extracurricular activities at Escalon High.

The five will be honored at center court, escorted by their parents at halftime of the basketball game, with the crowning to take place just before the second half.

“A couple of my guys are usually involved,” said Escalon varsity basketball coach Martin Louro, noting that Hood and Pangilinan will forego their usual halftime trip to the locker room on Friday to stay on the court for the Homecoming festivities.

Special ‘Dress Up’ days are also being featured throughout the week leading up to the Homecoming finale, with Monday celebrated as ‘Mismatch Day’ and Tuesday selected as ‘Transformation Tuesday.”

Today, Jan. 15, is ‘Wannabe Wednesday,’ where students will dress as what they want to be for a career or where they want to go. Terrible Sweater Thursday looms tomorrow and Friday will be Flashes of Color day.

The Cougars will look to take care of business on the basketball court to close out the week, with the freshmen boys kicking off the trio of games at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17.

JV action starts at 6 p.m. and the varsity game begins at 7:30 p.m., with the special halftime ceremonies also on the schedule.