Salem High School cheerleaders to perform before Saturday's 76ers game

-- Shortly before tip off at the Philadelphia 76ers game on Saturday night, 29 Salem cheerleaders will storm the court at the Wells Fargo Center.

Between 6:15 and 6:30pm the Salem High School cheerleaders accompanied by a handful of Salem Midget Football Raider cheerleaders will warm up the crowd before the 76ers take on the Orlando Magic at 7:00.

"This means a great deal to the school and the program, simply because Salem has had such a bad rap the past couple of years. We can show the people  and  community of Salem what we are about and what we can do," said Salem High School Fall Cheerleading Coach Thronna L. Busch.

This will be the first time Salem's cheerleading squad performs in front of a crowd of this magnitude. Busch was first approached by the Sixers organization two years ago, but believed the squads weren't big enough or ready for the occasion. Over the summer, the cheerleaders went to see the unveiling of the new 76ers uniforms in Philadelphia. It was then that coach Busch decided they were ready.

"Let's do it this year. My squad is big enough and we'll invite some girls from the midget squad," Busch said.

Saturday will be no walk in the park for the cheer squad, as they will cheer on the Salem Rams football team against the Clayton Clippers at noon before making the 45-minute drive to Philadelphia at 4:30.

"I'm excited. We're gonna do it how we do on the field and go all out," Cheyenne Eason, a sophomore.

"It's a once in a life time experience," said Tatiana Williams, a senior.

"We've come so far and I'm so proud of these ladies. Words couldn't explain how proud I really am," said Busch. "These girls are positive role models, they're excellent scholars in school and it's just a way to show we love Salem."

The cheerleaders will have their own cheering section for the game, as of Wednesday they had sold 145 tickets.

Tickets are available at Sixers.com 

Joe Warner may be reached at jwarner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeWarnerPhoto. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

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