Daily Sitka Sentinel

Basketball Teams Return to Form

By GARLAND KENNEDY

Sentinel Staff

After a long hiatus, local basketball players returned to the courts for their first practice of the season Monday, with the hope of a competitive season on the horizon.

Wolves coach Jarrett Hirai told the Sentinel that as long as basketball remains safe to play in the COVID era, he hopes for the season to go on.

“We want households safe. If we can be safe in all those venues and areas and give the kids an opportunity to be kids and play, I’m all for it,” Hirai said.

On the girls team, Lady Wolves coach Mindy Bartolaba said her athletes are eager to play and would like to compete if possible.

“They’re a great group of kids and they’re coming back, coming out to play, looking forward to playing. They talk about competing and they get big smiles on their face,” Bartolaba said. This year, 2021, is her first as head coach, a position formerly held by Sondra Lundvick, who is now the principal at Sitka High.

Members of both teams take a number of virus precautions, from mask wearing when not in intense exercise to regularly washing the basketballs. A door was propped open to allow for airflow, and students receive a virus screening, including a temperature check, before practice.

When teams play this year, coaches said, there will be no crowds. Instead, the school plans to livestream the activities.

Hirai was glad for his players to have a season, even if it is truncated.

“I’m just glad to get kids that want to play playing. I’m just encouraged to see that we have a season,” he said.

Bartolaba said her players plan to practice with the hope of competing later in the season.

“I hope we get to play, hope we have the opportunity to get kids to compete – it’s something they have always worked hard for … We will practice every day like we have something to look forward to,” she said.

Games are scheduled for later this month. The boys plan to play Mt. Edgecumbe High on Jan. 27, and the girls plan to travel to Ketchikan on Jan. 29 to play the Kayhi Kings.

Hirai noted that his team has spent the last month in open gym, since the School District allowed that activity to recommence.

“Sitka High gave us the open the gym back up for open gym. I’ve been having about 18 kids come to gym times three days a week… for the last three weeks.”

He noted the uncertainty swirling around the season, and argued that his players should, like the girls, practice as though they will compete.

“And I just told them that we don’t know what’s going to come out of this, but let’s prepare as much as we can for a season. And if they let us have a season, great. And if they happen to not allow us to have a season, it’s unfortunate but we’re trying our best to be ready for it,” he said.

Teams will finalize varsity rosters within a week, coaches said, just in time for the opening matches of the season.