Girls Basketball

Girls basketball was scheduled to start on December 7th. This was the plan prior to the four week delay put into effect. Missing out on sports and following many restrictions from COVID-19 has made being a student athlete very difficult for many, but the girls basketball team is keeping their heads up while they wait for answers. Junior, Jaci Winchell, is feeling anxious being stuck in the unknown about winter sports. Winchell misses the special bonds she has with all of her teammates and would give anything to be back on the court with them. Although a season is not guaranteed, Winchell is hopeful for a season that won’t end early because of COVID-19— she “just wants to have some fun!” Senior, Makayla Bowen, also has high hopes for the season. Just like Winchell, Bowen is anxious awaiting a decision for when the season will begin, but she is ready to be back on the court and returning somewhat to normalcy.

This season, the new head coach of the girls varsity team is Steven Strauss. Unfortunately because of COVID-19, Strauss was unable to work with the team over the summer to get everyone into the flow of things. Pre-season work with a new coach is crucial to a team’s performance, and the girls have already missed out on this very important part of the growing process. When the season begins, the number of practices before the first game will be greatly reduced, which creates another problem for the team. Strauss has been on top of organizing optional virtual meetings for the team and connecting with his athletes as well as he can. He explains that it is nerve-racking being unable to get into the gym and start working, but he is staying positive and doing what he can to keep everyone motivated and hopeful. Strauss states that he is “looking forward to working with a great group of girls,” and is extremely ready to start his new journey as the girls varsity basketball coach. Just like all sports, the girls basketball team is ready to start their season and can only remain hopeful for a chance at a whole season without any more obstacles.