As fall sports come to a close, winter sports at JAHS start full throttle. JAHS has always been proud of both academic and athletic achievements throughout the years, and that is no different for the basketball cheerleaders who participate in both the basketball season and competition season.  

    This year’s varsity basketball cheerleaders include: seniors Morgan Sarver and Ashley Ellis; juniors Mikayla Russ and Emily Wilson; sophomores Sernia Chapman, Megan North, and Vanessa Straley. Junior varsity includes: sophomores Lexi Wolgemuth, Kodie Griest and Elise Bailey; and freshmen Hunter Kaltenbach, Sara Wiley, Ashlyn McDaniel, Morgan Hess, and Sophie VanKirk.

    Like football, the basketball cheerleaders have prepared themes for each home game this year. Some of the upcoming themes include: red out, white out, neon night, America, prep-out, camo night, superhero night and Disney night for senior night.

    Towards the end of basketball season, the cheerleaders begin their competition season. Even though the cheerleaders prepare all year long for their competition season, it can at times be  a struggle to cheer both competition and basketball. Senior Ashley Ellis stated, “In years past it has been difficult cheering both basketball and competition. There were weeks that we would have cheer every day. It just becomes a lot to balance basketball, competition, school, and jobs, but it is always a blast so that makes the late nights worth it.”

    When asked what the team’s goal is for both basketball and competition season, junior Lyndsey Lovejoy explained, “We are working very hard to accomplish what we’ve always dreamed about. We are very determined this year to strive and accomplish our goals. I look forward to a great season with awesome teammates.”

   One thing is for sure, the cheerleaders of JAHS are hard at work this time every year and continue to make Alder proud with their hard work and determination to both basketball and competition cheerleading.