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Sports

Extra Points: Check Out Those Other Athletes on the Court

Yes! Cheerleaders are athletes and Competitive Cheerleading is listed in the athletic category, not the activities category of the IHSA competition handbook.

If you watch how hard the Shepard cheerleaders practice their routines before a game, you realize the precise tumbling, flips and leaps that are performed take constant conditioning for these girls.

Forget the drama cheerleaders you see on “Glee,” high school cheerleaders in the state of Illinois are athletes.

Shepard cheerleading coach Colleen Sands briefly explained the training process for her squad.

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“They work two games a week and the other three days they practice," Sands said. "To make the team, they have to possess advanced tumbling skills and they have to be able to fly (drop off the top of the pyramids). They have to be in top shape.

“Basketball ends in March, so they get March and April off. Most of the girls play a sport in the offseason or get memberships in Cardinal Fitness. They want to be on the team and do the work to stay on it."

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You can see the hard work and dedication when you watch the Shepard cheerleaders work during the sophomore game. It is no surprise they took third in ICCA State competition in Springfield and made the semifinals in the IHSA competition in Springfield.

It's a pleasure to watch them perform.

Sophomore Score: Shepard 55, Evergreen Park 40. Londell Lee (12 points) paced the Astros. Harold Fairley (12 points) led the Mustangs.

The Best Play: Martece Weatherspoon dropping in a three-pointer at the end of the half, giving the Astros a 29-12 lead. They went on to beat Evergreen Park 61-44 on Friday night. 

Team Records: Shepard is 12-10 and 7-5 in the South Suburban Red. Evergreen Park is 5-21 and 0-13.

A Look Ahead: Shepard is at Plainfield Central Wednesday and Oak Lawn Friday. Evergreen Park will play at Oak Lawn Wednesday and host Eisenhower Friday.

Hot Links: Miss something? Read: "Shepard Second-Quarter Surge Sinks Evergreen Park" http://patch.com/A-fm7g 

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