In the early spring of 1991, Michael Martin, Director of Western Mass Boys AAU Basketball, expanded his program to include girls. Tryouts were held at Smith College and at Cathedral HS and 5 teams were chosen to represent Western Mass that season. The girls wore the same uniform as the boys and met with limited success at the few tournaments they entered, however it was apparent to all the coaches involved that the AAU experience was a valuable and significant aspect of a player’s development. AAU tournament play provided a means for good players to test their skills at their own age level.  More importantly, AAU built confidence and special friendships.

In 1993, tryouts were held at Western New England College. Five teams were chosen to represent the new Western Mass Girls AAU Basketball Association, directed by Phillip Hamre. It was an active and successful season with teams placing 4^th in state tourneys and winning tournaments in New Hampshire and eastern Massachusetts. Western Mass hosted its first Classic tournament, showcasing its talent at Western New England College and American International College. Still, Western Mass teams took different names – Eagles, Falcons, Mustangs, Hurricanes and Wolverines.

In 1994, the organization unveiled a new name and logo. The CHEETAHS blazed into the state tournaments with style and a new look and much talent. Three teams won medals – one silver, two bronzes.

In April of 1994, the CHEETAHS hosted their first Massachusetts State AAU Tourney for 18U teams at Springfield Technical Community College.  In addition, the 2^ndannual Classic was held at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Thirty-seven teams representing six states and Canada competed in this highly successful tournament. The 1994 season was highlighted in September as a combined 16U team won the Future All Stars AAU Tournament at Iona College with 85 DI, DII, and DIII coaches and representatives in attendance. As a result of that tourney many senior players received letters of interest from division 1, 2 and 3 colleges and universities.

In 1996, Jo Ann T. Vanin, Dean of Students at UMass – Amherst, became the new director of the CHEETAHS.  Under her leadership, by-laws were instituted and policies were drawn up to address the needs of a growing organization. Team numbers increased to 8 and close to 100 girls were participating and showcasing their basketball skills throughout tournaments in New England and New York. The 4^th annual Classic was held in the Greater Springfield area in June and the CHEETAHS were now regularly hosting a Massachusetts State AAU Girls Championship Tournament. In 1997, the CHEETAHS had 9 teams competing and teams competed at the US Junior Nationals in Washington, DC.

1998 saw a new director elected. Dr. Jim Hession brought new energy and enthusiasm to the CHEETAHS.  In 1999 that energy and enthusiasm paid dividends when our  first 11U team coached by Tom Jurkowski and Fran Smith brought home the CHEETAHS first gold medal after winning the 1999 Massachusetts 11U Girls AAU State Championship. That team would win two more gold medals and a silver in the next four years.  In addition to the 11U team repeating as 12U champions in 2000, and the CHEETAHS 15U Green team coached by Joe Maggi and Marguerite Haugh, won the gold medal at their state championship. Both teams competed at AAU National DI Championship Tournaments. The 12U team, in Ogden, Utah, came out of their pool and qualified for the Championship Double Elimination Bracket. The 15U Green team had a good showing in the shootout round in Amarillo, Texas.

Under the leadership of Bill Roufogalis (2001-2004, The CHEETAHS continued to be a presence at the state tournaments with the 2003 – 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U and 14U teams all placing second and taking home silver medals, and teams taking bronze and copper medals in 2004 and 2005.

The 2005-2009 leadership of Jane Sicard, Kelley Assarian, and Brenda Ferraro brought the CHEETAHS back to their golden ways.  During their tenure, the Cheetah College Scholarship fun was established as well as the annual golf tournament.   The 13U National team took home the gold in 2006 and our 11U team took home the silver.  In 2007, the CHEETAHS hosted the 11U-14U MA state AAU Championships and the 14U National team took home the silver and our 12U team took home the bronze.  2008 brought more accolades to the organization with the 12U team winning silver and 15U team winning bronze medals in the 2008 MA State Tournament.  The CHEETAHS also sent two teams to the US Junior Nationals in Hershey, PA and two teams to the USA Invitational at Penn State that year.

The CHEETAHS are looking forward to another exciting and successful basketball season in 2010 under the leadership of new board members Bill Heilman, Dawn Bruneault, Kathy & Jack Mielnikowski, and Irene Sullivan.