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It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we go about our daily lives. For many, sports at school are a part of daily life. There are many things we couldn’t adapt to be safe in the world we are living in, but school sports is not one of them. The basketball season for both boys and girls has recently ended, and I got to ask a few questions to see just how Covid has affected how basketball is played here at school.
It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we go about our daily lives. For many, sports at school are a part of daily life. There are many things we couldn’t adapt to be safe in the world we are living in, but school sports is not one of them. The basketball season for both boys and girls has recently ended, and I got to ask a few questions to see just how Covid has affected how basketball is played here at school.
Changes
Changes
It was no secret changes had to be made to keep everyone safe. The practice was shorter, and the team was split into two cohorts. Everybody had to wear masks and coaches worked to limit drills where players would be close to each other. Everyone sanitized their hands before touching the basketballs and the amount of practices was cut down by 60%. On a scale of one to ten on how much practice had changed the average answer from the girls basketball team was a 7, meaning the majority felt practice had changed a ton. Perhaps the most drastic change was games were not taking place. Coach Hinz, coach of the girls team, said, “They kind of lost a year of playing competition against other schools so getting to know other schools and the competition they'll face.” Safety measures in place, most players on the girls team were not apprehensive to join or rejoin the team. Grace Weisz, an 8th grader, said she wasn’t worried at all because, “...there were safety measures in place to ensure we could play safely.”
It was no secret changes had to be made to keep everyone safe. The practice was shorter, and the team was split into two cohorts. Everybody had to wear masks and coaches worked to limit drills where players would be close to each other. Everyone sanitized their hands before touching the basketballs and the amount of practices was cut down by 60%. On a scale of one to ten on how much practice had changed the average answer from the girls basketball team was a 7, meaning the majority felt practice had changed a ton. Perhaps the most drastic change was games were not taking place. Coach Hinz, coach of the girls team, said, “They kind of lost a year of playing competition against other schools so getting to know other schools and the competition they'll face.” Safety measures in place, most players on the girls team were not apprehensive to join or rejoin the team. Grace Weisz, an 8th grader, said she wasn’t worried at all because, “...there were safety measures in place to ensure we could play safely.”
Some Things Aren’t the Same
Some Things Aren’t the Same
With all of the changes practice looked very different. Coach Hinz said the hardest thing to recreate was a game like feel for the players. The team tried their best to do 3v3 and 4v4 scrimmages here and there, but it ultimately wasn’t the same. A player said that they missed the other half of the team. Mckenna Wilson said it was, “...really hard to play as a team and act like a team with masks on,” Grace Weisz said there wasn’t the usual time in the locker room after school, and she missed the chats in between practice and bus rides to games.
With all of the changes practice looked very different. Coach Hinz said the hardest thing to recreate was a game like feel for the players. The team tried their best to do 3v3 and 4v4 scrimmages here and there, but it ultimately wasn’t the same. A player said that they missed the other half of the team. Mckenna Wilson said it was, “...really hard to play as a team and act like a team with masks on,” Grace Weisz said there wasn’t the usual time in the locker room after school, and she missed the chats in between practice and bus rides to games.
Getting to play again
Getting to play again
Though it was different, the team thought it was good to be able to play again. Many players said it gave them a chance to connect, and reconnect with each other. It was something to do in a time that they were bored, and kept them active. Though it was disappointing to be split up, a player said a positive was each player was able to work on their skills. Coach Hinz said smaller practice sizes allowed for teaching specific skills that each player needed to improve. He added, “The girls should be commended for their effort, positive attitudes and willingness to adapt to the modified season.”
Though it was different, the team thought it was good to be able to play again. Many players said it gave them a chance to connect, and reconnect with each other. It was something to do in a time that they were bored, and kept them active. Though it was disappointing to be split up, a player said a positive was each player was able to work on their skills. Coach Hinz said smaller practice sizes allowed for teaching specific skills that each player needed to improve. He added, “The girls should be commended for their effort, positive attitudes and willingness to adapt to the modified season.”
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