Winter Sports

By: Toral Soram

        Winter sports are now in session, and the cold and frigid weather cannot stop these dedicated student athletes from attending late night and early morning practices to prep for the upcoming season. Girls and boys basketball, indoor track, and cheerleading all have the spirit and readiness to make the most of this time. 

         Being apart of a team is of utmost importance to many of the girls basketball players. Not only are they fierce and determined on the court, but they have a loyalty to each other that is admirable. Laughs and smiles are always seen when this group of athletes are practicing or hanging out together. Natalie Sullivan, sophomore, speaks with passion about the close knit family: “At the beginning of the game the people you run onto the court with are the only people in that gym who know exactly what you're about to go through. All the pushing and shoving and elbowing and falling and uncalled fouls and unfair calls and rude fans are all things that every player has to deal with, and when you have four other people on the court, and eight others on the bench who you know are going through those exact same struggles, and doing it for the ultimate goal of winning for the team YOU are on, it gives you a huge sense of security. I wouldn't think twice about doing something that contributes to the success of my team. We bond over the hardships of basketball and it really has turned us into a family.” When asked about her goals and aspirations for the season, she responded, “I'm excited to prove everyone wrong. I can't wait for the season to start and for us to be able to show people how far we've come. We will never be the team that loses 25 games in a row.” Conditioning and prepping for this long season will soon pay off for the girls.

Photo Courtesy of: Oran Williams

       The basketball boys are also hyped up for this season, especially the upperclassmen.  “Playing along side guys I've known my entire high school career like Jack, Juwaan, Richard, Thomas and those guys,” are what Tim Zeller, a current senior at MV, is what he is most excited for. When asked about some goals the team might have off the court, he responds, “We need to keep a higher standard for grades then in the past so that we not only beat teams athletically, we can beat them mentally.” The team plans to work hard and give it all they have to win at least 13 games this season. 

        Track and field and cheerleading are also very optimistic about this season. Emma O’Leary, an avid runner, states, ”Oh god, not die?” when asked about some goals she is hoping to accomplish. Cheerleading is also off to a great start, from stretches to jumps, everyone on the team definitely feels the Maumee Valley spirit. 

Don’t forgot to come out to games and support your fellow peers. Go Hawks!