As the autumn air starts to chill, the leaves fall and the last of the fall sports have ended, there is a slight feeling of sadness knowing those sports will have to wait another year to be played. That feeling is then revived and turned into excitement for the coming of the Winter sports.
“We feel we have a really good chance this year. We know we can do something special together. We have all been playing with each other since we were little, so we all have great chemistry,” senior Grant Fordyce said. “The goal always is to make it as far as possible, I know what my teammates and I can do and I think this year is gonna be the year we can make it all the way”.
With the new video board added to the gym, it adds a little ‘electricity’ in the air for the players and fans who come to watch the game, and for the team’s seniors, they feel this could be a special year.
“I feel like the video board adds a new element to the game. Its gonna get the fans more into the game and its just something you don’t see in a lot of high school gyms” Senior Brandyn Moultrie said. “It’ll give a little rush to the players and a new excitement factor. “
Unity, one word to describe key elements into what makes a great time. This is what the team expects to experience this year.
“Based off of the blue/white scrimmage I feel our team has so much potential. The older guys are great and are always willing to help us and teach us, trying to make us better players”, junior Cameron Smith said “December 10th is our first home game against North Kansas City. We hope that a lot of people can come out and support so we can show case what everyone will be seeing the rest of the year.”
With so much excitement in the players and a lot of success in the past it has just been a struggle getting over that hump in the playoffs the last few seasons for the jays, but this year could be different.
“Obviously our depth stands out, having multiple people that can go out and play that position against the competition we will be facing. Good work ethic with this team, commodity, and the purpose this team will have and the way these seniors want to go out. They want to go out on top and have a great season and strive to be the best,” coach Roger Stirtz said. “We will at least have three games under our belt coming back from Fayetteville so it will get us ready to play in our always exciting Cokely Fieldhouse, and its just a great time with our students with their theme for the games and everyone there to kick us off a great start to the season.”
The experience of this year’s team will play a huge role in the success they can potentially have. This senior-led team, most of whom have started or have seen time playing since their sophomore year, will help guide the younger players towards great things.
“We only lost 4 seniors from last year,” sophomore James Bednar said. “I know a couple of the guys on this team have been playing varsity since their sophomore year, so I really think the experience we have on this team is going to give us the edge.”
