Can you hear it already? The basketballs bounce on the court, having its own rhythm that sounds through the pavilion. The whistles of the referees and teammates clapping their hands. The connection of the bat and the ball, that echoes through the stands. However, for the past year, fields and courts have been left without crowds and players. The stadiums have been silenced.
As Covid-19 cases spiked during the fall and winter, sports were not allowed to practice nor participate in games to ensure the safety of athletes and staff. Due to this, seasons were pushed back to early spring, leaving our athletes questioning if there will ever be a time they’ll be in the spotlight once again. Many sports would have finished their season by now, but instead are just getting started. There are also some seasons that won’t ever get started.. As many athletes begin to practice and play, the time they would’ve had to build a connection with their teammates, to play the sport they love, to hear the fans in the stands, it’s lost.
The lack of equipment has made it difficult for student-athletes to train for a season they hope to have. This obstacle doesn’t stop them from giving their sport everything they have and working hard towards their goals.
Not being able to fully condition as a team has affected all sports teams, including indoor sports like basketball. Coby Hawkins, a Senior on Varsity Basketball, went into detail about what he has done as a student athlete to stay active.
“I have set up a workout routine that doesn’t require any additional equipment. I have been doing a lot of cardio including running and biking, and I have set up free weight workouts that target different muscle groups in my body.” Hawkins adds, “Once you play a sport that requires you to constantly workout, it pretty much becomes second nature in your life.”
Isabella Hernandez, a Junior on Varsity Girls Soccer, explained how she stays active at home, “I was fortunate enough to have a treadmill at my house so I could go on runs to work on conditioning. I have brothers who are also athletes, so sometimes we would workout together to make it more fun and lively.” Hernandez sheds light on how she managed to stay motivated, “It was hard to find motivation to work out at first, but with time I knew I needed to if I wanted to stay at the same level I was pre-covid.”
Hernandez went on to further explain how this has impacted her as an athlete. “Not being able to play screwed up my skill level, physicality, conditioning, and more. I would dream of being able to go back onto the field one more time and play a game with my team. It’s been one of the most difficult things an athlete could ever imagine.”
Unfortunately, this season is the last time our senior athletes will play and compete while representing our school. Jaylaen Higgins, a Senior on Varsity Baseball focused on how he felt knowing his last year is not going to be like any other.
“I feel sad and happy at the same time. I’m sad because there won’t be any fans in the stands, I’m happy because I’m very fortunate to have a season.” Higgins takes time to focus on what his future brings, “I know that some other sports aren’t able to play and so I’m just going to go out there and make the most of it.”
Hawkins explains his true feelings about missing the game that he’s worked for, his whole life. “This season has honestly just been painful and depressing. I mean I have played all these years of basketball looking forward to my senior year; looking forward to making a name for myself and it feels like all of that hard work meant nothing.”
The pandemic has lasted longer than any of us had expected and took away so many valuable and cherishable memories that the athletes won’t get to experience. Hawkins brought to the spotlight, “I was really excited to play on senior night and to walk out with my family, but unfortunately it looks like none of that is going to happen. The thought of having that stripped away from me just kills me inside.”
Higgins just doesn’t play baseball, but he is a dancer as well, both impacted his life for the better and he shared who are his biggest motivators. “My teammates motivate me a lot because they’re constantly getting better every single day and I want to help them win. For dance, I would say some of the people that I used to dance with motivate me because I see them posting different dance routines on social media and it makes me want to dance a lot more.”
Basketball has taught Hawkins life lessons in ways many athletes can relate to. You learn how to become disciplined, focused, and how to step up and be a leader to your team. It also gives you the opportunity to show your hard work and dedication across the country.
“I have visited so many different places due to this game and I am beyond blessed for the opportunity.” Hawkins goes on to include, “My family has always pushed me to be my best self, on and off the court, so I want to make sure that I am always pushing myself because it shows them how much they mean to me. I have always been this certain way where I feel like I can always be growing and doing something that will make me better.”
No matter what happens this year, you are the best version of yourself. Although this obstacle seems hard to get through, remember to give everything and achieve goals. Hopefully our sports will start soon and we can continue to grow as a community and as a team. The stadiums are silent, but our athletes and students drive to become better, is not.
