onference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament tips off this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD will be covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of articles in the week ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage with a combo interview of Charleston cheerleader Lilah Callahan (left) and Cougarette Charlotte Papatheoharis (right).
What made you choose Charleston for college? CHARLOTTE PAPATHEOHARIS: I love the city: it is beautfiul, has so many fun places, and just offers a lot. LILAH CALLAHAN: I love the area and the beach is close to campus. I grew up in Massachusetts so Charleston is a big change from the north, and there is so much to do.
How did you choose your major? CP: I am majoring in marketing and studying ancient Greek. I like social media and the business side of things. Funny story: I am Greek and thought that I was taking a regular Greek class…but the 1st day I realized it was ancient Greek! However, I liked it so I stuck with it. LC: I am majoring in astrophysics. When i was younger my neighbor had a telescope and I found it amazing. Most schools do not have it as a major, but Charleston does.
What is the post-graduation plan? CP: I am a senior and want to dance pro so I will have to try our for teams. I am planning to move to Florida so maybe I wil try the Miami Dolphins? If not, then maybe medical sales. LC: I am a sophomore so I still have 2 years to decide. My plan right now is to get either a doctorate or PhD, move down south because the north is so cold, and maybe cheer for a pro football team.
1 of your hobbies is working out: any tips for our readers who want to get in shape? CP: Living in a walkable city gives me a great workout, and also makes me happy. I have taken some more classes this year like yoga/pilates, and I also get a good workout from being on the dance team. LC: It is important to do activities that you want to do, not just follow a plan of workouts that you do not like to do every day. You should switch it up to do stuff that you like. I also like baking cookies/brownies and decorating cakes, which is like another 1 of my hobbies (drawing).
How did you 1st get into cheering/dancing? CP: I strarted dancing when I was 3, doing the usual combo of ballet/tap/jazz. I loved it so much that I looked for schools where I could continue to do that. LC: I started cheering around age 4-5. My sister cheered in college so we were able to do it together, and my mom was also a cheerleader.
The Cougars made the NCAA tourney in 2023/2024 and have won 21+ games for the 4th year in a row: is it easier to provide some spirit for the team when they are doing well on the court? CP: Definitely: when the team brings the excitement/energy at a game then so can we, and it is hard to bring our own energy if the team is losing. LC: We are so much more excited when the team is doing well, because it so much better to be cheering/dancing in front of a packed arena.
What has been the highlight of your season so far: winning 5 of 6 in December, Senior Night, other? CP: In our season finale last weekend we trailed by 15 PTS to the #1 seed in the conference (UNCW), but out of nowhere in the final 10 minutes we came all the way back to win it by 3 PTS. It was even more amazing because we had lost to the Seahawks at home by double-digits just a few weeks earlier.
How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? CP: It is based on seniority. I love coming here: not just to the conference tourney, but also getting to explore DC. LC: Seniority is the main factor, and also how we did earlier in the season. It is so exciting to be here: this is my 1st time at the CAA Tourney and I am so happy for the guys.
Any predictions for the Cougars this week? CP: I have no doubt that we will win! LC: I want a good game with good energy.
