The lights go out. The sounds of chains clanging echoes in the gymnasium. A bell tolls, and the introduction to the Undertaker’s WWE theme song hushes the packed crowd. The chilling bell fades, giving way to “The Saints” by Andy Mineo.

Once the anticipation reaches a fever pitch, Terra Ceia’s boys’ varsity team takes the court for warm ups. The Knights take turns going in for layups as the fans behind them cheer loudly.

It’s a sort of intimidation tactic. Coach Roger Klaassen and the Knights want to get in the head of their opponent before the opening tipoff.

“It’s just something that we came up with. Last year was the first year using it,” Klaassen said. “My wife put it all together. It’s just to get the crowd involved and maybe intimidate the other team just a little bit when they hear that boom and the bells. That’s what it’s all about, the atmosphere. We wanted to make this the best atmosphere in they county.”

It’s only one of the things that give Terra Ceia such a clear home-court advantage. The rabid crowd is a source of energy throughout the game. The gym doesn’t seat a ton of fans, so it’s almost always filled to capacity. Those in the community that have fallen in love with the Knights’ style of play makes for an atmosphere that’s so much louder than one could ever imagine a venue that size would be.

It’s more than a small gym packed with basketball fans, though. The palpable energy comes from the close-knit community.

“The Knight Nation, you hear them. That’s what it’s all about,” Klaassen said. “This might be totally different than any school. It’s a family. We care for one another and you see it right there. These kids respond to it.”

Tuesday’s first-round playoff game took it to an entirely different level. It was the first time that Terra Ceia had hosted a postseason matchup in nine years. The Knight faithful were on a completely different level from the get go. The fans came unglued when Quentin Van Essendelft nailed a 3-pointer just five seconds in, and reacted well to each shot that followed.

“This sounded like a Duke home game,” Klaassen said. The Blue Devils play in a similar venue, although on a much larger scale. “When we made a shot, I couldn’t believe the noise the crowd was making.”

Terra Ceia will have to travel to Wayne Country Day — the only team that’s beaten the Knights this year — for the second round on Thursday. It won’t be the same atmosphere, but Klaassen and the team are confident in the “Knight nation” making the trek out to Goldsboro.