MADISON- Energy level is ever so important at a high school basketball game and a soaring level of enthusiasm on the court is many ways responsible due to the crowd overrun by excitement. One of the ways a crowd arrives to a frenzy is due to the spirit skills of the team’s cheer squad.

If excellence is any indication of how well a cheer squad can influence the level of excitement for a prep roundball team, the James Clemens basketball cheer squad will help raise the roof during the upcoming Jets’ season.

The James Clemens squad recently attended its first ever Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) summer camp at Auburn University and came away with the camp’s highest awards including First Place Overall in the Large Varsity Camp Routine.

“We beat out teams from across Alabama and Mississippi which do this all year long,” said Katie Carpenter, squad head coach. “This squad embodies what cheerleading is all about.”

The 24-member Jets’ squad looked to the camp to learn new skills and to perfect the extraordinary skills each of the girls already possess. According to their third-year head coach, each cheerleader dug deep within their skills and fought hard to polish their already fine skills and exceeded all expectations.

Besides the overall first-place award, the Lady Jets also picked up Third Place Overall Large Varsity Game Day Routine, Third Place Large Varsity Cheer, one Gold Ribbon Large Varsity Camp Routine, four Superior Blue Ribbon Performances, the Banana Award, presented daily for highest level of cheer, and the Spirit Stick Award each of the three days of the camp.

For Carpenter, the one award presented to the team meant more than all the others. The Jets were named the Leadership Award voted on by other squads as to which team they would want to be a member.

“That award is one I’m most proud of,” said Carpenter. “Other teams told us our squad was so nice, offered tremendous sportsmanship and at the end of the day our girls had fun and worked hard. This squad has more fun than any squad I’ve had in my 12 years of coaching. They love each other and I think that shows in their cheering.”

Five Jets were chosen All-Americans. Those were Victoria Johnson, Paige Quarles, Jessi Lindsey, Caitlin McGuire and Lauren Johnson.

Junior cheerleader Serenity Pride was one of four girls in the camp who were selected by the UCA staff who represent all which is good in the sport of cheer. The honor was called Pin-It Forward Athlete.

“One of the things about Serenity that helps her standout among others is the fact she plays on the girls basketball team and then cheers during the boys games,” added Carpenter.

James Clemens has its competition cheer, which just happens to be the defending National Champion in UCA competition.

Carpenter is assisted by coaches Davia Young and Jonathan Barnett.

Here’s the list of the Lady Jets who attended the camp and represented James Clemens while they helped carry on the true #CountyLineCulture: Ajah Fenster (Freshman), Kennadie Lard (freshman), Nadia Powell (senior), Chloe Powell (senior), Emily Ingraham (sophomore), Lily Epperly (sophomore), Victoria Johnson (senior), Teyonna Hambrick (sophomore), Jessi Lindsey (junior), Lauren Johnson (sophomore), Aniyah Thomas (junior), Victoria Owens (freshman), Lillian Maxfield (junior), Paige Quarles (sophomore), Miya Wormley (senior), Saniya Thigpen (sophomore), London Hall (freshman), Peyton Anderson (freshman), Caitlin McGuire (senior), Serenity Pride (junior), Raegan Curry (freshman), Destiny Jennings (sophomore), Adrianna Salamone (freshman), Faith Tucker (junior).