There are few things better than hearing Joe Aber play the theme to the “Beverly Hills Cop” on the synthesizer at a Free State High basketball game.

Well, maybe hearing him play the theme from “Hawaii Five-O,” or “Miami Vice.”

Watching Aber trying to lead the student section in “The Chicken Dance” borders on hilarity, while his pumping out “YMCA” — yes, that “YMCA,” only without the Village People bellowing out the lyrics — just makes a person chuckle.

It’s all a part of what has become the best part of watching a game at Free State: Joe Aber and Kyle O’Neil, the Firebirds’ two-man pep band.

I’ll be honest: Most times I ignore the band at basketball games. The band always seems to go better with football, where the game’s pace suits the band’s songs and volume.

Basketball needs snippets of music, while keeping the crowd involved. A small, two-man band is perfect for a gym full of people. And, though Aber was alone at Saturday’s Free State-Leavenworth game, he did his best to involve the crowd.

Playing Quiet Riot, “Rock and Rock Part II (The Hey Song)” or “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” works better than FSHS officials could have imagined.

Especially since the Firebirds weren’t even going to have a pep band before the season started because of various reasons.

That prompted FSHS coach Jack Schreiner to ask Aber, a senior, if he’d be interested in using his musical talents to support the team.

Good move, coach.

“Schreiner asked us to get a pep band together,” Aber said. “Since we’re both musicians, we thought it might be fun.”

Aber and O’Neil set up camp on the southwest corner of the gym floor, with a couple of keyboards and a guitar and plethora of music at their disposal.

An opponent calls timeout? Whip out the theme from Jeopardy.

Need to entertain the crowd during halftime? Maybe a few chords from “Old Time Rock and Roll.”

Whatever they do, it seems to work. Best of all, they’ve got the support of both the boys and girls basketball teams and the school administration.

“I like it,” FSHS athletic director Steve Grant said. “They bring their own stuff and do a good job.”

The only thing the duo needs is a drummer — someone to keep the beat, make a little noise and increase their playlist. After all, when Aber wants to play “Foxy Lady” on the guitar, a drummer would only add to the experience.

If the school really wanted to embrace the duo, they should hold an assembly that details the songs Aber and O’Neil play, then work out signals with the cheerleaders and the crowd so they can be involved. When the duo does start playing “YMCA” or “The Chicken Song,” it takes 10 or 15 seconds for the students to realize what’s being played.

With a little coordination, the FSHS gym could be one big groovin’ place that opponents fear and the home teams love.

Besides, I don’t mind a little music with my basketball.