Remember when the basketball season started in November? Those days have long passed. CHSAA pushed all sports seasons back a few months for the 2020-2021 year. The boys and girls basketball seasons began this week. The season is expected to run through March, with state finals on March 19 and March 20.
Rolling out sports in a year like this has been tough, but some sports have been successful so far. Cross country and boys golf both finished off strong seasons, while certain sports such as football and boys soccer were pushed back to the spring. Boys and girls basketball may be starting a little late, but athletes are still excited to play.
“It may not be the same as it was last year, but it’s still going to be a good time and a good way for me to improve,” said sophomore Peyton Fenner, who is playing for varsity basketball this year.
Sports act as a way for many students to escape from reality and focus on something they are passionate about, making the return of basketball a relief for many students.
“Right now we all need something that we can gather around, root for, and just experience together. I feel like basketball gives me and my teammates a chance to focus on something other than this crazy part of our lives. It’s a great outlet,” said sophomore Katherine McGarrity, who is swinging between JV and varsity basketball this year.
Of course, this pandemic is still real, so athletes have to follow COVID protocol. Athletes have to wear masks at all times, and must complete COVID-19 symptom checks before every practice session. Hopefully, these precautions will keep the season going and keep players safe.
“We all wear masks throughout the entire practice. The only time we are allowed to take them off is to get a quick drink of water … or going outside during one of our mask breaks,” said McGarrity.
“I feel completely safe playing basketball. The players are doing a good job of keeping their masks on and over their noses,” said Fenner.
Varsity boys basketball ended the season 8-16 last year, but players are looking forward to an even better season this year.
“I think we have the potential to be successful this year. But it’s going to be up to the players to fill some of the gaps that were missing from last year,” said Fenner, who is playing on Varsity for the first time. This is an important note, because some players are in fact missing from last year. Some graduated, while others skipped out on this year’s season due to COVID-19.
Girls basketball is looking positively toward this season as well. JV girls basketball ended the season with an impressive 15-4 last year, and Varsity girls basketball ended with a 12-13.
“We are hard-working, talented, and we have a winning mindset. We play as a team, and I think we are going to have a successful year,” said McGarrity.
Unfortunately, no students can spectate at basketball games, or at any other sports game. Nevertheless, we can still support our boys and girls basketball teams, along with the other sports starting up now— girls swimming/diving and wrestling.
