By Cole Klassen
Ah, it seems we find ourselves at the end of the school year once again. It is a time of changes, cramming, and increased stress. Yet, somehow, these athletes manage to perform to a great degree.
Boys Basketball
Basketball has wound its way to this point. Coach Phelan had this to say about the season. “We finished the season 7-5 and improved individually and as a team. We overcame the challenge of few practices during the last month because the boys listened well during games and weren’t afraid to try to adjust during games.”
Sounds like the boys did an upstanding job. I asked the coach how the program expressed the ideals of truth, beauty and goodness, and he said: “On the level of truth, we had a good season for learning two truths at least — team is greater than a sum of parts, and leadership must be constant, not based on feelings. Our captains, Preston McCollough and Jonathan Phelan were outstanding leaders, particularly in the last month, and all of our 8th-graders led very well by the end of the season. We will miss our 8th grade boys next season and wish them well in high school, and look forward to returning to the court with our returning 7th and 6th grade boys.”
Girls Basketball
Girls’ basketball has come to a close, and Coach Brittain had this to say about the season: “Our season was one I am very proud of. We did not have a great record (2-8), but I feel that each of my players improved both as basketball players and as teammates. We had to play in games against tough opponents, several of whom were much older than my prominently sixth grade team. Furthermore, throughout the season there were many games played in which girls were out due to academic probation, injury, and prior academic commitments.”
She said of the practice sessions “During practice there was always great enthusiasm and camaraderie. We would sing together, laugh, and work hard and even during conditioning, at Rochelle’s lead, we would shout excitedly, push ourselves, and struggle together.
Our last three games of the season were played without two of our best players, including our point guard, because they had both acquired concussions. On top of that, our best defender missed multiple games because of the TPA drama performance.”
She also said, ”Throughout the entirety of the season we fought like Knights and earned respect, and for that I am very proud of each and every member of my team and to call myself their coach. Way to go, ladies! It was one heck of a season. I love you.”
Congrats to all the girls who fought through such a tough season.
The end of the year has come upon us at last, as with sorrow we prepare for finals and to leave our friends until next year. Have a great summer, Knights!