“5, 6, 7, 8” is something to listen for at a varsity basketball game. This is how the CHS winter cheer team starts every stunt, jump and cheer.
Last school year, FCPS brought back sideline cheer to varsity basketball games. In 2015, FCPS discontinued sideline cheer due to budget cuts and safety. In 2022, superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid attended a state game with an opposing team who had sideline cheerleaders, and as a result, reintroduced the idea of the team.
“My favorite part of being on the team is the basketball games we cheer at,” sophomore Brooke Strenglein said. “The games are really fun, especially when the stands are filled and our team is winning. We seem to have better confidence and results with stunts and cheers when our team is winning.”
One main difference between fall and winter cheer is the events that each team attends. Fall cheer teams have competitions to attend which requires making a routine; whereas, winter cheer does not. Winter cheer focuses on performing on the sidelines of boys and girls home varsity basketball games.
The team practices twice a week to prepare them for games. They work on cheers, stunts, jumps and conditioning during practice. Each game, they have a few things to improve on while on the sidelines.
“We should improve our communication during games,” freshman Valentina Garcia said. “We could aim to increase our communication by calling out plays more clearly or by giving each other more encouragement during the game.”
The cheer team arrives at basketball games 30 minutes early to allow time for warm ups for their performance. Everyone is expected to arrive on time and fully dressed.
“Before games, we stretch and run through cheers a couple more times,” team captain sophomore Lucy Milans said. “These types of warm-ups are really helpful and I always feel extra confident during the games when we all do it together.”
The next varsity basketball game is on Thu, Feb. 6, starting at 7:30pm. The boys team will play at home against Westfield High School.
“Knowing that I am able to work with my teammates who I know will always have my back is a big part of being on the team,” Garcia said. “Having a special connection with my team has a big impact on how we work together.”
