With 124 players from grades first to seventh on 16 teams, students at Cherokee Charter Academy are now excelling on the basketball court and in the classroom.  

Cherokee Charter opened just six months ago and draws students from throughout the county. The school has a diverse student population, but through the new basketball program and other extra-curricular school activities, students are making connections with kids outside their neighborhood.  

“I want my students to excel academically, but I also want them to build quality friendships with their classmates and teammates," said Brandon Chester, CCA athletic director and special education teacher. "We saw a great need for athletics to connect students and their families outside of the classroom.”   

The CCA Tigers basketball teams compete in the county Recreation and Parks Department’s Cherokee Youth Basketball League (CYB).

“It’s been a positive experience for our students and parents and we appreciate the opportunity to participate in the league,” said CCA Principal Vanessa Suarez. “We feel that it’s been a win-win partnership because our students are able to play on teams together, and we've been able to encourage more youth involvement in the Cherokee Recreation and Parks program.”