As it is with every season, the DuBois Central Catholic Cardinals basketball team began its 2017-2018 campaign with the DuBois Central Catholic High School Tip-Off Tournament. The high school team, led by DCC alumus coach Dom Varacallo, faced off against the Johnsonburg Rams in the first game of the tournament.. The Cardinals, after finishing in second place in last year’s tournament after a loss to the Punxsutawney Chucks, looked to improve upon that finish this year. However, after being defeated in the opening round by the Johnsonburg Rams, the Cardinals finished in third place after knocking off Marion Center after the Stingers lost to Punxsutawney. Despite the high school being obviously the main event, the younger grades, such as the JV teams and the ninth grade teams, as well as elementary and middle school, are involved in the event as well.

The basketball season beginning brings the rebirth of another long Cardinal tradition, the cheerleading squad. The cheerleaders are making their first appearance on the courts since the 2015-2016 season, having taken a year off in 2016-2017. The team is coached by Mrs. Norman, a parent at DCC. Although the team isn’t large by any means, only having eight students on the squad, it makes up in youth and spirit for what it lacks in size. The team is entirely underclassmen, which means that the school can look forward to potentially more squads in the upcoming seasons.

The tournament usually has a pretty good turnout, with students and parents from each of the four schools attending to cheer on their squad. The Cardinal’s students in particular, come out of the wood works to join in on rooting for DCC. It’s always a great sports environment for all of those involved. The games are always entertaining and of a high quality, and it’s just a great atmosphere. All of the community was invited, of course, and we hope that everyone enjoyed the games as much as we do.