COLUMBUS, Ohio — No matter how packed a Buckeye basketball game is, you'll always be able to find Emmy Sheldon.
With a smile that lights up the Schottenstein Center, Jacy Sheldon's sister has become a part of the team. Before every gameday, much like the players, Emmy has a pregame routine of her own.
First, she starts her morning off by getting her hair done and practicing chants. Emmy then puts on the most important item of her uniform, a necklace given to her by Jacy.
"My sister made this for me, it says, 'I love you' and 'sister'," Emmy said.
Now looking gameday ready, Emmy gets to work on her vocal warmups, practicing the national anthem and getting her high notes ready for cheering. She then sends a pregame message to Jacy.
"I love you, good luck Jacy," Emmy said in her message ahead of the game against Indiana.
"It's honestly really comforting in a way. It just gives you a sense of comfort and some happiness before the game," Jacy said of her sister.
With Emmy's shoes laced up and her vocal cords ready, the Sheldons make their way to the Schott to see Jacy go through warmups.
"I think we might have had her go down and give Jacy a hug before a game and it turned into everyone giving hugs before a game," said the girls' mom Laura Sheldon.
Emmy gets her moment to shine, giving every player a high five and a smile in the pregame line, mixed in with hugs and a little bit of dancing.
"Just having these girls being able to celebrate her and treat her as part of the family, it's awesome. It does leave me speechless because they've done more than I could've even imagined for Emmy," Jacy said.
Emmy and Jacy may be the ones who share the Sheldon name, but Emmy knows she has an entire team full of sisters at her side.
"I have Rebecca, she is fast, I love Celeste. Then there is Rikki, you know, my sister" Emmy said describing the team.
Once the handshakes are done, Emmy takes her seat where she makes sure to cheer loud enough for the whole arena. She dances and roots on her sister throughout every game.
There are few moments you will see Jacy without Emmy, including walking out to center court for senior day.
"I have Emmy in my life and it's something I didn't realize until we had her. She's a blessing," Jacy said. "I can't even put into words how important she is."
After every game, Jacy signs autographs and takes pictures with dedicated fans. But she makes sure she finishes her postgame routine with a big hug from Emmy in the hallway outside the locker room.
With the Buckeyes winning the Big Ten title on Wednesday night, Jacy again celebrated with Emmy, but this time amid confetti and a trophy celebration.