Sports

Athletes miss fans cheering during games

Justice LaMaster

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 basketball 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.

Seniors reflect on final games

Catherine Valencia

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.

Athletes debate on starting sports at early age

Alyssa Williams

Each year, children start earlier playing sports on an organized team or through a sports camp than they had in previous years. With parents hoping their child becomes a top athlete by starting early, the price of starting too early or focusing on one sport alone can pose problems for some students. At the same time, New York Times-bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell said it takes about 10,000 hours to master a skill, so starting early could result in an advantage for an athlete.

“There is more time to gain experience and skill in their certain sport. I started playing soccer at a much higher age than most of my friends, and I was lucky to catch up and be an asset to the teams I am a part of,” said senior Jackson Campbell, who specialized in soccer in eighth grade. “If I would have started earlier, I most likely would be much better than any of my peers, and have more opportunities in playing college or semi-professional soccer.”

“I think there could be both advantages and disadvantages in starting sports, camps, lessons, and travel ball at a young age,” said freshman Haley Thomas, who plays basketball and softball. “The advantages of this is that you get to meet new people and have friendships for a lifetime. The disadvantages of this is that it is a commitment. It takes a lot of time from you that you may or may not be wanting to give up.”

Specializing in one sport at an earlier age and playing at the sport year-round intensively causes students and children to use the same muscle groups over and over. According to American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the specialization in one sport might prove detrimental to students and children under the age of 12.

“Although physical activity is beneficial for overall health, sports specialization can increase the risk of injury and burnout, and decrease enjoyment due to excessive training. It also decreases an athlete’s ability to cross train and gain physical benefits from other sports,” the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine said in a statement released online in 2018.

Sophomore Katelin Conder said she experienced injury in fifth grade after attending a basketball camp.

“Well, everyone was a lot rougher than me and I fell on my back and hurt myself a lot,” she said. “But I learnt how to throw a basketball behind my back and catch it.”

Attending camps, private lessons, and working with trainers can help athletes improve their game. Not only does sports help improve your game, but it requires student-athletes to have self-discipline as well.

“Since the practices or lessons are throughout the week, then that takes time away from you doing school work, so you have to be on top of everything,” said Thomas, who took lessons and played travel softball since the third grade. “It also takes a lot of time from your weekends considering that is when most of the tournaments are on. Some people are willing to give up their time, but some are not.”

BOYS BASKETBALL

Pandemic does not limit JV basketball’s winning season

Catherine Valencia

While having to deal with the downfall COVID-19 has provided challenges for all student-athletes this year, it has not made playing come to a full stop. Having the drive of wanting to fulfill all the goals the boys basketball team has set for this year is what kept their season moving forward.

“Our goal was to improve together as a whole team and not let anything get in the way of having a successful season,” sophomore Jacob Martin said.

Working together as a team involves having to build both mental and physical toughness. With that comes not letting your guard down in both games and practice as well.

Growing together and playing games has helped the team achieve their goals and come out on top. Having good communication and sportsmanship is critical when being a team player.

The boys junior varsity team holding a record of 17-2 and the varsity has a 6-18. The JV team had an exceptionally outstanding season this year.

“This was the first year I dunked for my team and came out with 11 dunks,” Martin said.

Junior Hayden Cutter and senior Treyton Owens joined the 1,000-point club this season as well. The varsity team faced the Charlestown Pirates on March 3 during the Indiana High School Athletic Association sectional, winning 60-54. The Warriors fell to Madison in the second sectional game, 51-68.

The boys basketball team grew close, created memories, and excelled in the jobs they were put to do. While wishing they could have had a season where more fans could attend and they were not limited to certain times, it was yet again another unforgettable season for them.