An illustration depicts two basketballs, one with the Clarke Central High School logo and the other with the Cedar Shoals High School logo. Both Gladiator teams faced CSHS on Dec. 16, 2023, where the CCHS girls varsity basketball team took home a victory and the CCHS boys varsity basketball team lost to CSHS. “I hope our girls win again. That’s the first time our girls had defeated their girls in a couple of years,” CCHS Athletic Department Director Jon Ward said. “The boys’ game was (an) extremely entertaining game. (There were) several late changes, some big plays by both teams throughout the game, and hopefully on our home court our boys can be victorious this Saturday.” Illustration by Cadence Schapker
By the Numbers: CCHS boys varsity basketball vs. Cedar Shoals High School
Despite the Gladiators’ loss against Cedar Shoals High School on Dec. 16, 2023, the boys varsity basketball team seeks to win their rematch on Jan. 20.
CCHS Boys:
(7-10): Overall record for the CCHS varsity basketball team.
(3-5): Home record for the Gladiators.
(2-4): Away record for the Gladiators.
6: Region 8-AAAAA games played this season.
1,104: Points scored by the varsity basketball team.
1,095: Points allowed by the varsity basketball team.
246: Ranking for the Gladiators in Georgia.
33: Ranking for the Gladiators in Region 8-AAAAA.
3: Losses in a row for the Gladiators.
CSHS Boys:
(8-8): Overall record for the CSHS varsity basketball team.
(4-5): Home record for the Jaguars.
(4-3): Away record for the Jaguars.
8: Region 8-AAAAA games played this season.
1,011: Points scored by the varsity basketball team.
1,004: Points allowed by the varsity basketball team.
218: Ranking for the Jaguars in Georgia.
30: Ranking for the Jaguars in Region 8-AAAAA.
1: Wins in a row for the Jaguars.
Game Preview: CCHS boys varsity basketball vs. Cedar Shoals High School
Boys varsity basketball player AJ Lonon, a junior, head coach Stefan Smith, and players Marcus Gillespie, a junior, and Triston Thomas, a sophomore, at the 2024 Winter Media Day on Jan. 13. Varsity basketball point guard Marcus Gillespie, a junior, shared his confidence that the Gladiators will be able to win. “We are competing with every single team and playing more as a team. Making us more dominant,” Gillespie said. “I see my teammates wanting more (and) when I realized that they wanted it just as bad as I did, it made me step up also.” Photo by Aza Khan
Going into their 20th game of the season, the Clarke Central High School boys varsity basketball team will face off against Cedar Shoals High School on Jan. 20
The Clarke Central High School boys varsity basketball team will go up against Cedar Shoals High School for the second time this season at CCHS in the Competition Gym on Jan. 20.
The team previously lost to CSHS by three points on Dec. 16, 2023, with a final score of 70-67. Boys varsity basketball head coach Stefan Smith believes multiple factors impacted the game’s result.
“We’re not putting enough effort into it (and) we’re not working harder to learn. As the season went on, we’ve gotten a little better playing defense (but) we’re not where we were my first year (coaching),” Smith said. “That team could hold people under 40-45 points and that’s the difference.”
With hopes of avenging their loss to CSHS, Smith has taken steps to educate and coach the team through game analysis to prepare for the season and the upcoming game.
“We’ve done more (defense) drills (and) we’ve understood new things. Unfortunately, these guys just gotta buy into it,” Smith said. “We’ve addressed it by showing more film (to) show them where they’re making the mistakes (but) a lot of it is just understanding defensive concepts.”
The CCHS vs. CSHS games have been non-regional since the 2019-2020 season. Although the importance of the game has changed, Smith still looks forward to the competitive spirit both teams bring to the court.
“This is (the) one game you know all your kids are going to give it their all,” Smith said. “So I’m just interested to see what I can get out of the kids and how much we can grow and improve as a team.”
— Stefan Smith,
Boys varsity basketball head coach
“This is (the) one game you know all your kids are going to give it their all,” Smith said. “So I’m just interested to see what I can get out of the kids and how much we can grow and improve as a team.”
Boys varsity basketball power forward Anthony Lonon, a junior, is looking forward to the game against CSHS and its significance to the community.
“It brings everybody together. (It’s) the big game, Cedar vs Cent., we all come together. Everybody’s rooting for us (and) it’s just good to see everybody together,” Lonon said.
Looking for revenge: Q&A with combo guard Marcus Gillespie
Boys varsity basketball combo guard Marcus Gillespie, a junior, poses in the Clarke Central High School Competition Gym during the ODYSSEY Media Group’s Winter Sports Media Day on Jan. 13. CCHS played Cedar Shoals High School on Dec. 16, 2023, where CCHS lost 70-67. Despite the loss Gilespie remained confident that CCHS could defeat CSHS in their rematch on January 20. “We feel great, we feel like (this game) should be a revenge game because we let them beat us the first time,” Gillespie said “(Our team is) way more locked in.” Photo by Aza Khan
News Staffer Angel Jara speaks with boys varsity basketball combo guard Marcus Gillespie, a junior, about the upcoming Cedar Shoals High School-CCHS matchup on Jan. 20
News Staffer Angel Jara: What’s the team doing to prepare for the game?
Junior and varsity combo guard Marcus Gillespie: We’re watching a whole lot of film. We’re practicing on the things that we’re using in the game, (we’re doing) a lot of running (and) endurance to make sure we in the best of shape. We are drinking a whole bunch of water and we have meal preps with each other.
AJ: What do you think is the most important thing to address in practice?
MG: It’s really composure and making sure we keep a low hand during the Cedar vs. Central game. (We’re practicing) defense as well because (Cedar) added a player that recently transferred over there and he just had the best game of his life against us. So basically, we just got to take more pride in defense instead of offense.
AJ: Would you say that you practice harder for Cedar compared to other games?
MG: We practice the same throughout the whole year but we practice harder (for Cedar). It just comes out harder because they’re the team we want to beat. We know we’re a better team. It’s a crowd thing and it’s a rival team. Even if the team is worse, any team can win the big game. They beat us the first time so we’re going twice as hard as we usually do.
“We practice the same throughout the whole year but we practice harder (for Cedar). It just comes out harder because they’re the team we want to beat. We know we’re a better team. It’s a crowd thing and it’s a rival team. Even if the team is worse, any team can win the big game. They beat us the first time so we’re going twice as hard as we usually do.”
— Marcus Gillespie,
Boys varsity basketball combo guard
AJ: Why do you think the Cedar-Central matchup is so important to the Athens community?
MG: You just see a whole bunch of talent in town. It’s been a real big thing to see which side is better between west and east. It’s just a lot to prove during the game and everybody wants to be there with us.
AJ: Could you tell me about the mindset of the team going into the game?
MG: (We have) more of a killer mindset. We’re coming in there and we’re not talking to anybody. We’re locked in on a game plan and we’re straight business. We can’t really get distracted. We tend to get distracted easily by the crowd and the fans and stuff like that (but) in order for us to win the game, that’s the type of attitude and mindset we’re gonna have.
AJ: What do you think the team can capitalize on this game?
MG: They are not as physical as us. We’re kinda a strong team. They really don’t have the family chemistry that we have. Even though we don’t really use it as much, they don’t really have that brotherhood so we should be able to beat them off of that. We know each other better than they know each other.
“(CSHS is) not as physical as us. We’re kinda a strong team. They really don’t have the family chemistry that we have. Even though we don’t really use it as much, they don’t really have that brotherhood so we should be able to beat them off of that. We know each other better than they know each other.”
— Marcus Gillespie,
Boys varsity basketball combo guard
AJ: What are your score predictions for the game?
MG: I feel like we’re gonna win by five. Cedar is also a very good team, I am not gonna knock them down or anything so I feel like it’s gonna be a close game, a back and forth game.
AJ: Last time y’all played Cedar, you lost by just three points. What will be different this time around?
MG: (Referees) called a late foul that wasn’t a foul. They gave me a (technical foul) for dropping the ball and rolling it to them. I feel like they was kind of against me the whole game. (Cedar) realized we had the upper hand once our first foul went in. I feel like they won’t get the same type of love over here. We’re gonna play real basketball— if they beat us they’ll beat us fair and square.
AJ: Is there anything that the team is hoping to do differently this time around?
MG: Everybody wants to give it their all and the nervousness is kinda out so I feel like everyone’s gonna be more comfortable. (This time) we need to learn how to play our roles, we need to do our job. Everybody doesn’t need a score. Everybody doesn’t need to have the ball. Everybody just needs to do what they usually do so we can win as a team.
By the Numbers: CCHS girls varsity basketball vs. Cedar Shoals High School
CCHS girls varsity basketball player Alexandra Ozuna, a sophomore, poses at the Winter Sports Media Day on Jan. 13. The Gladiators won their previous game against cross-town rival Cedar Shoals High School despite being a young team, and now seek to win the rematch. “We lost a few seniors last year, (but) I think our team has grown,” Ozuna said. “We’ve got some freshmen, (so) I needed to step up, everybody needed to step up.” Photo by Aza Khan
After the Gladiators’ victory against Cedar Shoals High School on Dec. 16, 2023, the girls varsity basketball team seeks to win a rematch.
CCHS Girls:
(6-9): Overall record for the CCHS varsity basketball team.
(2-5): Home record for the Gladiators.
(3-2): Away record for the Gladiators.
6: Region 8-AAAAA games played this season.
572: Points scored by the varsity basketball team.
635: Points allowed by the varsity basketball team.
289: Ranking for the Gladiators in Georgia.
35: Ranking for the Gladiators in Region 8-AAAAA.
3: Losses in a row for the Gladiators.
CSHS Girls:
(6-11): Overall record for the CSHS varsity basketball team.
(4-6): Home record for the Jaguars.
(2-5): Away record for the Jaguars.
8: Region 8-AAAAA games played this season.
641: Points scored by the varsity basketball team.
826: Points allowed by the varsity basketball team.
334: Ranking for the Jaguars in Georgia.
39: Ranking for the Jaguars in Region 8-AAAAA.
1: Losses in a row for the Jaguars.
Stats from www.maxpreps.com
Preview: CCHS girls varsity basketball vs. Cedar Shoals High School
Clarke Central High School girls varsity basketball team captain Brooke Sheppard, a senior, head coach Carla Johnson and players Kaiden Bradford, a junior, and Alexandra Ozuna, a sophomore (left to right) pose at Winter Sports Media Day on Jan. 13. The girls varsity basketball team has been preparing for the Classic City Championship against Cedar Shoals High School that will take place at the CCHS Competition Gym on Jan. 20, where Sheppard hopes the team can inspire those in the audience. “Men’s sports have always been more advertised and has (had) superiority over women’s sports, (but) I feel like having a strong team that is doing pretty well this season gives little girls hope (to) play basketball when (they) get in high school,” Sheppard said. Photo by Aza Khan
As the CCHS team enters the second half of their season, they are now preparing for the Classic City Championship against Cedar Shoals High School on Jan. 20.
Clarke Central High School will host the team’s second girls varsity basketball game against Cedar Shoals High School in the CCHS Competition Gym on Jan. 20.
The girls varsity basketball team lost both games to their crosstown rivals during the 2022-23 season, but achieved a 34-21 victory during their most recent faceoff on Dec. 16, 2023. The Gladiators’ season record is currently 6-9, already better off than the previous season’s record of 4-22.
“(With) the drive and push that we have, the girls are more motivated (and) they’re working together as a team. We’re learning every day, implementing different plays, (and) going back looking at film and stats (from previous games),” CCHS girls varsity basketball assistant coach Tamekia Felton said. “I had high expectations from what we saw in the summer, and up until now they are living up to the expectation (of) having a winning season,” Felton said.
Felton attributes the Gladiators’ recent success to improved defensive play, with the coaching staff placing an emphasis on conditioning ahead of the game against CSHS.
“(Our) best quality right now has been strength in our defense. The defense is getting better each game, so I think it will continue to get better (through) conditioning,” Felton said. “Defense is what’s gonna win the championship.”
“(Our) best quality right now has been strength in our defense. The defense is getting better each game, so I think it will continue to get better (through) conditioning. Defense is what’s gonna win the championship.”
— Tamekia Felton,
girls varsity basketball head coach
CCHS girls varsity basketball team captain Brooke Sheppard, a senior, feels prepared for the upcoming game despite the Gladiators holding a three-game losing streak.
“We’ve definitely (been) going hard in practice; working with each other, being aggressive (and) learning through games (by seeing) what works and what doesn’t,” Sheppard said. “Communication is always key in any sport you play because no one (can read) minds. (We need) to just talk and let each other know who’s going on our defense, communicate plays, and just move and get open.”
As a graduating senior, Sheppard looks forward to what will be the last Classic City Championship of her high school career.
“(This game is) pretty exciting. It’s very sentimental to me (because) it’s the last time we’ll be playing Cedar,” Sheppard said. “I feel like it’s (going to be) a fun experience for everybody to come out and we’ll be going crazy.”
Preview: CCHS varsity cheerleading vs. Cedar Shoals High School
Clarke Central High School varsity cheerleader Addison Huff, varsity basketball cheerleading head coach Sophia Campbell and varsity cheerleading team captain Ke’Aira Smith (left to right) pose at the 2024 Winter Sports Media Day on Jan. 13. The cheerleading team has encountered struggles as they approach their game against Cedar Shoals High School, but Smith belives they will prosper. “(The season has) been interesting. (There have) been some ups and downs but we work around them and we get along,” Smith said. “I think its been a good season so far. We’ve been pretty distant, but when it’s time to do what we need to do, we do it. We handle it very well.” Photo by Aza Khan
The CCHS varsity basketball cheerleading team will be cheering on the CCHS boys and girls varsity basketball teams as they go up against Cedar Shoals High School on Jan. 20 at the CCHS Competition Gym.
The Clarke Central High School varsity basketball cheerleading team will be cheering on the CCHS boys and girls varsity basketball teams in the teams’ second Classic City Championship against Cedar Shoals High School on Jan. 20.
The CCHS varsity cheerleaders have fostered close relationships both within the team and with CSHS cheerleaders. As such, CCHS varsity basketball cheerleading interim head coach Sophia Campbell recognizes the significance that the game has for her team.
“Most of the girls have been cheering together since they’ve been freshmen, and (The Classic City Championship) is the game of the season,” Campbell said. “That’s the (game) they want to make sure they look the best for, because of course (Cedar) is their crosstown rivals and they’re also friends with a lot of the (Cedar) girls so it’s a friendly type of battle. It’s a battle of the best.”
As a student, Campbell cheered for CCHS for four years until she graduated in 2004. Since graduating from CCHS, Campbell has witnessed the energy on the court and in the stands evolve into what it is today.
“The crowds were nothing like when I was in school, the stands would be packed,” Campbell said. “(However,) the (CCHS vs. CSHS) game crowd is a lot larger than you would normally see at a basketball game because it’s a tradition. You always have all of your older crowd that comes in as well.”
According to Campbell, the cheerleaders have been working diligently to get them to the place they are today going into the Classic City Championship.
“Preseason, we did a lot of conditioning and (making sure) sharp moves are tight, running material that needed to be learned and making sure that everybody was all on the same page. During the season, we don’t have a lot of practices because we practice so much on the front end.”
— Sophia Campbell,
CCHS varsity basketball cheerleading interim head coach
“Preseason, we did a lot of conditioning and (making sure) sharp moves are tight, running material that needed to be learned and making sure that everybody was all on the same page,” Campbell said. “During the season, we don’t have a lot of practices because we practice so much on the front end.”
Varsity basketball cheerleader Addisyn Huff, a senior, hopes that despite the rivalry, the CCHS and CSHS cheer teams will support each other in addition to their respective schools’ basketball teams.
“I’m looking to see that, of course, the Gladiators win, but I also want to see that (the CCHS and CSHS) cheerleaders can go against each other with professionalism because we are the same thing (and) we should both support each other,” Huff said.
Package by Anna Shaikun
Package by Cadence Schapker
