Cha Gardner is going dancing this Friday. Dancing in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, that is. Cha, a two-sport standout during her time at Newark Valley Central School, is now a current member of the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks women's basketball team.

While at Newark Valley, Gardner was a star on both the hardwood and the volleyball court. During her high school basketball career, she averaged a double-double in back to back seasons as a junior and senior. She was a two-time All Tioga County "Player of the Year," on top of setting the school scoring record.

Now a freshman with Stephen F. Austin located in Nacogdoches, Texas, Cha has contributed nicely in her first season to a team that is hoping to pull a big upset in round one of the women's Division I tournament this Friday. SFA draws the No. 3 seed, Notre Dame Fighting Irish for their first round match-up. 

Gardner averaged 17.2 minutes per game for the Ladyjacks this year, starting nine games and seeing playing time in 31 games total. She has scored 183 points and brought down 134 rebounds  as a freshman in 2024-25. Gardner recorded 35 assists, 11 steals and 14 blocks for the season as well.

Speaking to Gardner on Thursday about how her first season in Division I college hoops has gone, the SFA forward said, "It has been really fun and exciting. We have had some injuries this season, so I have got some playing time."

As far as being a part of March Madness and how she sees things playing out against Notre Dame on Friday, "I keep saying it's surreal. I always wanted to get here and it just feels like I am in a dream. Notre Dame is a really good team and one of the best in the nation, but we are a good team too and that's why we're here," added Gardner.

Lastly, I asked Cha if there was anything she wished to relay to the fans back home.

"Yes, tell them I am very thankful for all of their support and I hope I make them proud," she said.

Stephen F. Austin is the No. 14 seed heading into Friday's first round action of the NCAA Women's tourney. They play Notre Dame at 2 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama.