On Jan. 22, the seventh and eighth grade boys basketball teams from Jefferson and Jackson middle schools competed in a Crosstown Classic at Willowbrook High School.
District 45 basketball fans from both schools attended in support of their student-athletes and enjoyed spirited halftime performances by the Jefferson and Jackson cheer teams.
The seventh grade game opened the event, with the Jackson Jaguars defeating Jefferson 41-24. The eighth grade matchup followed, with Jackson earning a 44-26 win.
Jefferson Cheer Coach Everitt O’Neal, who coaches alongside Estelle Tarrant, said the crosstown events at Willowbrook High School always bring out a greater level of focus from the team.
“The cheerleaders were definitely excited about the opportunity to show off their routine at the high school,” said O’Neal. “It’s also a chance for me, as a coach, to see former members of the team and see what has changed for them now at the high school level.”
O’Neal said a key motivator for the team is performing well in front of the Jackson Middle School cheerleaders. While there is a rivalry between the schools, he noted that many Jefferson cheerleaders also cheer alongside Jackson students on other teams. “It’s equally supportive as it is competitive,” he said.
O’Neal remains impressed by how his team responds in high-pressure situations. “One thing that continues to amaze me about our team is how they show up when all eyes are on them,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of their resilience and ability to still put on a great performance.”
He also praised the staff at Willowbrook High School for creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students. “It brings me comfort to know our kids will be well taken care of when it’s their turn to become Willowbrook Warriors.”
Jefferson Cheer Team member Angelina Valdez was among the many student-athletes who participated in the crosstown event. Valdez said the experience was memorable.
“It was really fun,” Valdez said. “It felt a lot different than performing at Jefferson, because there are more people watching and we had higher standards. It was definitely a bigger game.”
Valdez said the high school atmosphere, along with the presence of the Jackson Cheer Team, affected her team’s mindset.
“I think the team was a little stressed about it because they were scared to mess up in front of the other cheerleaders,” Valdez admitted. “But what stands out the most for me is just being able to do the halftime there, getting the chance to experience that.”
Valdez said the most challenging part of performing at Willowbrook was managing the stress of memorizing the entire routine with limited practice time. She said she was proud of her team.
“I always notice the stuff that goes wrong, but then at the same time, I think we still did well as a team.”
Thank you to our dedicated cheer and basketball coaches, Willowbrook High School Assistant Principal for Athletics and Operations, Ed Sullivan, and the entire Willowbrook High School staff for always welcoming our teams. Great job, Wildcats and Jaguars!