Clarke Central High School girls varsity basketball guard Mary Wicker, a junior, plays during the Gladiators’ game against Loganville High School in the CCHS Competition Gym on Jan. 24. The Georgia High School Association 2025-26 basketball season officially kicked off on Oct. 20, and CCHS girls varsity basketball guard Adriana Ozuna, a sophomore, is confident in this year’s team. “We feel really good about the (upcoming season) because we’ve been trying our best to focus hard during practice and (have worked hard to) prepare for the season opener, hoping to come out with a win,” Ozuna said. Photo by Grady Dunston
After the CCHS 2025-26 girls varsity basketball season officially kicked off on Oct. 20, the team has been preparing for their first game on Nov. 18.
With the Clarke Central High School girls varsity basketball team’s opening game against Oconee High School just around the corner on Nov. 18, the team has started practicing for the 2025-26 season.
The Gladiators finished the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 11-5 and lost the first round of the Georgia High School Association 5-AAAAA Girls Basketball State Playoffs. This year, tryouts were held on Oct. 20, with the team beginning practices the following day, which are currently held Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m., alternating between the CCHS Competition and Crawford Gyms.
“I get girls with a lot of different levels of ability, so we try to meet our athletes where they are. Over the course of the season, we’re hoping that they’ll put the time in, take in the coaching and grow,” CCHS head girls varsity basketball coach Carla Johnson said. “I’m pleased with what I’m seeing. Some (players) have more experience than others, but they’re all working hard, so that’s very encouraging.”
For the 2025-26 season, Johnson has emphasized the importance of running by starting practices with a mile-long run and having players set mile time goals. Following the run, players move into stretching and partake in various offensive and defensive drills.
“You’ve got to have endurance (to play basketball), so having to run a mile, especially within a certain time, is going to push you physically,” Johnson said. “What I’ve found over the years is (running a mile) not only physically pushes young ladies, but also mentally pushes them, (which) makes them stronger.”
“I’m pleased with what I’m seeing. Some (players) have more experience than others, but they’re all working hard, so that’s very encouraging.”
— Carla Johnson,
CCHS head girls varsity basketball coach
Looking to the upcoming game, the Gladiators have not faced the OCH since the 2022-23 season, where they lost 33-23. However, through capitalizing on the team’s 10 returning players, CCHS varsity girls basketball small forward Zaria Cooper, a sophomore, is confident the Gladiators can start their season by securing a victory.
“The returners (from last season) will be the leaders. They will lead the ones that may not know what they’re doing or know where to go,” Cooper said. “If we communicate, listen to each other, pay attention and work hard, we will definitely come out with a win.”
