9 minute read
Basketball • 6 Fencing • 7 Fans
SEASON AT
RECORD: 7-1
OPPONENT DATE AND TIME HOME/AWAY
Concordia Academy Breck Chisago Lakes Twin Cities Academy Minnehaha Academy 01/18 7:00 p.m 01/20 7:00 p.m. 01/22 3:00 p.m. 01/25 7:00 p.m. 01/27 7:00 p.m. Concordia Academy-Roseville Breck School SPA - Randolph Campus SPA - Randolph Campus Minnehaha Academy North
A GLANCE
IBID PHOTOS: Sophie Cullen
PLAY-MAKERS. These three players have put up astounding numbers this season and have been a deciding factor in boys basketball’s near immaculate regular season run.
HAYES
BY THE NUMBERS
11.5
Hayes has been on fire this season and is averaging 11.5 points per game.
24
Hayes had a game high of 24 points against Hill Murray leading the team to a 13 point win
32
Hayes plays around 32 minutes per game.
LAY UP THE SCORE
Boys basketball dominates competition through preparation
ORION KIM
THE RUBICON
What fans witness on game day is typically what receives the most attention. However, that spectacle is the product of hours of preparation. Michael Jordan’s last shot for the Bulls, Mary Lou Retton’s Perfect 10, Muhammad Ali’s shuffle, and Brandi Chastain’s World Cup winning-penalty are the results of the work and preparation that goes on behind the scenes. The hours athletes spend practicing, conditioning, and forming important relationships are often overlooked.
Although it is important for athletes to spend as much time possible training so they can perform to their full potential, it is just as crucial that athletes develop positive relationships. Jordan, Chastain, and Lou Retton had their teammates to support them, and Ali had his spiritual mentor Elijah Muhammad as well as his coach Angelo Dundee. According to a research paper by the University of Southern Maine, “creating positive team culture in youth sports cultivates players who feel a part of a strong, close-knit organization, which escalates their level of play and their desire to play.” The boys varsity basketball team is no exception. In addition to working hard in practice, the team also has many traditions, such as team bonding opportunities and pre-game routines. As for practice, the team trains almost every day. “We will practice 6 times a week if we don’t have any games. Practice means a lot to us because it helps to prepare for future games, as well as help us get better,” sopho-
more Tysen Hayes said. Players also train on their own time. Although building chemistry and learning tactics is important, the team’s performance ultimately comes down to each individual. In order to improve his game, sophomore Ethan Carter practices shooting whenever he has time: “I spend a lot of time shooting around and shooting free throws. I also like to stay active and play pick-up basketball at open gyms,” he said. Outside of practice, the team has built a strong community. Captain Brandt Bakersville said, “There’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes, getting together on the weekend, watching films, grabbing stuff to eat, and team bonding. All these things lead to better performance on the court.” One of the routines that the basketball team has is the 3 point club: “a big tradition we have that parents set up [is] where parents take turns providing meals so that [the team] can socialize,” he continued. Another fundamental routine happens right before tip-off. “We will meet with our coach about an hour before to go over our game plan and what to expect from the other team. After that we will, as a team, get ourselves in the right mental state for the game,” Hayes said. As well as team traditions, players also have their own routine. “There’s a lot of unique ways that people hype themselves up. I like to mellow out and chill by relaxing and listening to calmer music, but it’s different from person to person,” Bakersville said. Along with readying their minds, players need to ready their bodies and warm up before a game. “I usually spend about 45 minutes shooting and about 15 minutes dribbling. I then go and meet with the team and stretch,” Carter said. The incredible amount of preparation that the boys basketball team has dedicated has paid off. So far, they are on track to have their best season since their state tournament appearance in 2013.
“I SPEND A
LOT OF TIME
sophomore Ethan Carter
TEAM CROSSOVER: Swing players form a new community
HOBBS LILLYGREEN THE RUBICON
What do you do when you have too many people for one team, but not enough for two?
The girls basketball team has an influx of swing players (meaning they play for both varsity and junior varsity) who joined this season that can answer that question.
The large amount of swing players participating in basketball this year is different from amounts in the past. Junior Catherine Hooley wasn’t used to the unusual amount of players on both teams, but the community that formed was well worth the change. “It’s been an interesting adjustment, but I feel that the team is a real community because it’s not just the ones who have been on the team for a while, the ninth graders are really included and are really into the team spirit,” Hooley said.
In past years, two separate communities surrounding either the varsity or JV teams happened naturally, but now that the teams are connected through swing players, there’s only one.
Point guard Ivy Raya has experienced the separation of the teams and now the new connection: “The basketball team has always been a close-knit community, and now with people swinging a lot, I think it will close a distance between JV and varsity teams,” Raya said. Captain Naomi Straub enjoys the new connection as well: “I really like the team aspect of it [basketball], it’s usually a small team and then there is a really long season, so we get to know each other really well,” she said.
Straub had to adjust to the structure of the team as well as the coach, both of which are new. The team set-up means that everyone practices together: “it’s very different because we only have three people that are fully on varsity…everyone else plays both JV and varsity so that makes practices less split up,” Straub said.
The many coaches of the girl’s basketball team brought the community closer together as well, having helped to not only manage the team but also serve as role models for the team. There are two head coaches: Willie Taylor, known as coach Taylor and coach Alicia Ekegren.
Taylor emphasizes community and is part of the reason the team worked on the community in the first palace, “Our coach really emphasizes saying hello to your teammates in the hallways and to have good connections with the people you play with because it really transfers over to the game,” Raya said.
Taylor doesn’t push the community just for wins, but because he cares about the team and its players. For example, a new tradition that doubles as a community builder is connecting with teammates outside of practice and games. “He wants us to be genuinely good people, and I think our coach really worked hard to look out for our well-being which builds a community within the basketball team too,” Raya said.
Another tradition the girls basketball team has is eating dinner with both varsity and JV players, their parents, and the teams’ coaches. To close the gap between the two teams, team dinners are strictly enforced. The dinners grow the girls basketball community, incorporating parents and coaches. “You sign up for a meal and bring it, then we all eat together before the game,” Raya said. “They [JV players] have the same expectations that the varsity players have to show up to the games.”
The way the girls basketball team bridged the gap between its varsity players and swing players is something only possible with teamwork from all corners of the court. From the parents and coaches, to the freshmen just trying out—everyone played a part in building and connecting a community that truly represents what a team should be.
“WE ONLY HAVE THREE
Captain Naomi Straub
SEASON AT
OPPONENT DATE AND TIME LOCATION
JUMP SHOT. Point guard Naomi Kempcke shoots over an opponent. The home court advantage, along with fans, is always helpful.
DRIVE TO THE HOOP. Shooting guard Catherine Hooley goes in for a layup. Hooley is often a high scorer.
Q&A
Captain Lindsay Browne
SUBMITTED PHOTO: Lindsay Browne
IBID PHOTO: Sophia Bietz
Q: How would you say you take on that leadership role that comes with being a captain? Is there specific ways that you do so?
A: “I think I try to always keep it positive and keep cheering people on. I think it’s a really big part [of being captain] and making sure that players don’t get down on themselves. Whether it’s telling someone where they go [on the court] or if someone misses a shot saying “oh, keep shooting!”; just trying to make sure everyone stays positive and keeps the energy up.”
Q: Are there any traditions that you especially remember influencing the team?
A: “We have a little cheer we do, like our Spartan cheer, but then we sometimes do this weird High School Musical cheer. I don’t really know why. It’s just a fun little thing we do before our games.”
Q: How would you say being a captain has been different from being a regular team player?
Concordia Academy Heritage Christian Academy Breck Blake Southwest Southwest Blake Providence Academy Saint Agnes Cristo Rey Jesuit Minnehaha Academy Highland Park Twin Cities Academy Mounds Park Academy North Lakes Academy Legacy Christian Academy 01/12 7:00 PM 01/18 7:00 PM
01/20 7:00 PM 01/24 7:00 PM 01/28 7:00 PM 01/29 2:00 PM 01/01 7:00 PM 02/03 7:00 PM 02/07 7:00 PM 02/09 7:00 PM 02/11 7:00 PM 02/14 6:30 PM 02/16 7:00 PM 02/18 6:30 PM 02/22 7:00 PM 02/24 7:30 PM SPA Randolph Campus SPA Randolph Campus
SPA Randolph Campus Blake Hopkins Campus SPA Randolph Campus Southwest SPA Randolph Campus Providence Academy SPA Randolph Campus SPA Randolph Campus SPA Randolph Campus Highland Park Twin Cities Academy SPA Randolph Campus North Lakes Academy Legacy Christian Academy
A: “As a captain, it’s a lot different in terms of how much communication you have with the coaches. We have more insight into the team and can give them information about adjusting how we practice.”
Q: How do you hype yourself up or get ready for games?
A: “I like listening to really energetic music. We have a warm-up playlist that we always listen to. I think it’s always been hyped up for me, having to watch the JV game before my game gets me in the mindset.”
