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SPORTS Monday, March 22, 2021 ECHO
I’m really proud of them because it’s probably harder to get out and practice because of COVID.”
Maia Seidel, senior
MEET THE ATHLETE Stayci Spates, sophomore basketball
How long have you been playing basketball for? I started playing on a team in kindergarten. I started playing on a rec league, and that was fun.
What do you like most about playing basketball? I like playing with other people. I like that it’s a team sport. I like making plays and seeing my teamates score. I love playing with other people that’s my favorite part.
Why did you decide to play basketball? My dad played in high school and was really good, and my mom played too. So I thought I would be good too. I kept playing and still am.
What is your favorite basketball memory? My favortie basketball memory is the first game I was able to play after I tore my ACL.
What motivates you to keep going My mother she has been very helpful, and motivated me during the past five years. I have wanted to quit multiple times because I have had two knee injuries, but my mom kept me going, because basketball is something I genuinely love to do.
How does your team support eachother? Since were not at school and home sitting on computers all day the captains will make sure to send a text saying things like make sure you’re getting enough sleep and staying hydrated and things like to remind us to take care of ourselves.
What are your future visions with basketball? I am hoping it can get me a scholarship. I don’t want to go to a big school. I want to go to a HBCU so I can play college ball and be able to study law. I don’t really want to go to the WNBA because I don’t think they get paid enough. I also think I can’t play basketball forever because of my ACL.
Photo: Henry Harper
Boys’ basketball quarantined
Layup: Sophomore Stefano Giovanelli goes for a layup in the game Feb. 5. Park lost to Benilde-St. Margaret’s 65-47. After a player tested positive for COVID-19, the boys’ basketball season ended.
COVID-19 cuts season short Henry Harper & Talia Lissauer henryharper@slpecho.com talialissauer@slpecho.com
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fter starting his first year on varsity, junior Evan Donesky said he was upset the season was cut short before Sections. “There was such a little amount of games left in the season. And I feel we were very close to making it through the offseason. And also I wanted to play in our section again,” Donesky said. When a boys’ basketball player tested positive for COVID-19, the boys’ junior varsity and varsity basketball teams’ seasons ended and players were asked to quarantine, according to athletic director Andy Ewald. “They are supposed to quarantine (for 14 days) to keep themselves and everybody else safe and we encourage them to go get a test,” Ewald said. In the preceding weeks, junior Gavin Thoe said the team followed COVID-19 guidelines as best as it could. “It’s the smart decision to shut us down. Every time we practiced we all stayed safe with our masks up, socially distanced and cautious of each other,” Thoe said.
Photo: Henry Harper
“I think it’s the smart decision to shut us down, though every time we practiced we all stayed safe.”
Gavin Thoe junior
Look up: Junior Cameron Delorme goes for a layup in the game Feb. 16. Park lost to Cooper 64-56.
The beginning of the season was pushed back because of restrictions put into place by Gov. Tim Walz, so Ewald said players and families were just happy to have some type of a season. “People have been disappointed, but they also get it and understand that ultimately our job first and foremost is to keep everyone as safe as possible, and trying to have sports happen during a global pandemic is a tough go,” Ewald said. “Most people are just happy that, especially with (the) boys’ basketball team, (we) made it through (almost) the entire season without missing any games or being shut down.” Park returned to hybrid Feb. 22, which Donesky said could have contributed to the season ending. “I think we did an OK job as a team taking good precautions. It’s just the back-to-school thing. That’s all it was. We can’t just stop kids from learning. It’s just a tough situation,” Donesky said. Thoe said he’s excited to return to school after the quarantine, so he can see his friends again. “I’m really excited to come to school since they’re making us quarantine right now,” Thoe said. “It sucks we got our season ended, but I’m still happy I got to play at all since it wasn’t guaranteed.” DESIGN BY Jaida Puentes
