SPORTS Seniors reflect on final games Catherine Valencia staff writer
Photo by: Lily Walsh
Thankful to play: While athletes did not have crowds, cheerblocks, or a student section majority of the winter season due to COVID-19, many athletes were thankful to play as last spring, all high school sporting events were canceled due to the pandemic. Guard Allyson Barger (12) jumps through a hoop the cheerleaders made for senior night.
Athletes miss fans cheering during games Justice LaMaster staff writer The global pandemic caused many inconveniences for sports teams and their fans worldwide with restrictions on players, teams, schedules, and whether fans could attend games. However, the coronavirus could not break down the one key element of sports: school spirit and fan loyalty. Although many people would prefer to be in the stands cheering on their favorite teams, loyal fans have found many other ways that people can support their favorite sports teams, such as watching live games online, sending an encouraging message to a teammate or a friend, or listening to the broadcasted games on the radio. Girls basketball center Zoe Zellers (12) said personally playing a sport and having little to no fans in the stands can make it difficult; however, after a while, athletes get used to the silence and feel thankful just to participate in games. Some
schools nationwide do not have a sports season because of COVID-19 restrictions in their states. Sophomore cheerleader Breana McCowan said the other cheerleaders and herself support the teams on the sidelines when they were allowed to attend games. Yet, she said only having 12 cheerleaders and their parents/guardians does not make the game very enjoyable or exciting for the teams. Zellers said the COVID-19 guidelines make this sports season an unusual, history-making time to play. All teams are in need of support, she said. “Everyone needs to go support any sport they can and be there for the players, especially the seniors, on each team. This is a hard way to end their final season here, so we need all the support we can get,” Zellers said. Zellers said she works on being supportive for the boys basketball team because her brother, Wyatt, is a member of the team. “I am actually able to attend some boys basket-
ball games due to my brother being on the team; however, there are some gyms that only allow two tickets per player. So, of course, those two would go to my parents. It’s really hard not being able to go to all the games I want to because I know I’ll be at college next year and won’t be able to see every game,” Zellers said. COVID-19 might have caused tough times for loyal fans because they can no longer be as supportive to friends and family as they would like to, but the virus has also taught people lessons and provided more opportunities for other fans to watch the games from even further away. “I think it has made me realize what I took for granted. I’m glad for the time I was able to attend any game I wanted to, but I have now realized just how lucky I was. Being able to attend sporting events is such a big part of your high school experience. So, to say it sucks is an understatement, but I know it’s best for the safety of the students and athletes competing,” Zellers said.
Playing the last game of one’s high school career feels bittersweet, wrapped in the positive memories and bonds they have made the last four years and the grieving feeling of playing the final game with the same group for the last time. “Once the game started to come to an end and I knew it was my last, I was pretty upset,” girls basketball center Zoe Zellers (12) said. These athletes get the opportunity to play the sport they love for the four years of their high school careers. With the support of their families and friends, amazing memories and friendships are made along the way. “I would describe my relationship with my teammates to be like brothers.” boys basketball guard Ryan Gibson (12) said. Because players spend so many hours together, their teammates become another family to them. Senior baseball and football player Andrew Banet said athletes struggle to have to leave the people they have been playing with for so long. “What makes me dislike playing my last game is knowing this is the last time I would take the field with my brothers,” Banet said. Playing these last games feels like an emotional roller coaster as all of the emotions these players go throughout the season comes to an end. Between uplifting and joyous memories the players share, a dread and disappointment of having to go separate ways appears at the last game. “The thing I hate the most is seeing all your teammates hurting. Every year, it was the same experience but this year was different. It’s so hard seeing them upset because they don’t want you to leave,” Zellers said.
March 2021, Issue 4
Sports
13
