The new cycle for winter sports has started, and many athletes began their first sport of the year recently. Sports included in this season are boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ wrestling, girls’ water polo and traditional competitive cheer. The full schedule of all winter sports can be found on the school’s athletic page.
At the Edgewood High School pool, the girls’ water polo team has been practicing alongside boys’ water polo during their fall season.
“We would practice a lot with our boys team. So it would help both them and us. So a lot of scrimmaging and like, actual gameplay work,” senior and girls varsity water polo player Marisa Lemus said.
Through preseason practices, Lemus and her team are able to get the same training that the boys water polo team had, ahead of time, so they could go in fully prepared for their incoming league season.
“We’ve been prepared since the fall season and even during the summer, we had a lot of practice time, and we’re ready to keep improving and… for whatever season brings,” Lemus said.
Since their season is after the boys, the girls’ water polo team receives enhanced coaching from their head coach, Vincent Rivera.
“I… clean up the coaching mistakes I made with the boys, so by the time the girls officially start we are already ahead,” Rivera said.
Despite having more time to prepare, Lemus isn’t too fond of the weather, especially since she plays her sport in the water.
“Coming out is just really cool. ‘Cause it’s in a pool. So, I mean, I guess being cold is like… a drawback,” Lemus said.
The basketball team has also been practicing inside the gym on a daily basis for their upcoming season, focusing mainly on their drills for their league. Drills consist of shooting hoops, back-and-forth court sprints, and dribbles.
Sophomore and JV basketball player Chris Yu explains how the JV team’s intensive practice not only prepares the team to play during their season but also focuses on improving the team at another level to prepare to transition into varsity.
“Our coach makes us do a lot of defensive drills and running to keep us to prepare us for varsity at a higher level, to compete on the defensive level… reps on like shooting, just playing basketball. Because there’s no better way to get better than to actually play,” Yu said.
A benefit of playing during the winter season for the basketball team is they practice and play inside the gym. Around this time, the temperature is at the lowest of the year. However, the basketball team practices and plays inside the gym, thus not being affected by this.
“Sometimes the coach puts on the heat… That’s nice,” senior and varsity basketball player Jose Moreno said.
The wrestling team is also preparing during the offseason. They practice all year round to ensure they keep in shape but are also put in the right mindset. Their preparations range from focusing on their nutrition to regularly training on their endurance with weight training and lifting.
“So as soon as our season ends, we still keep running practices so the kids can just come in and get some extra work in, even if they’re in another sport, we tell them like, you know, one day a week, just keep that wrestling muscle memory going,” head wrestling coach Michael Morales said.
Since the weight of a wrestler is one of the most important things for the sport, it’s also recommended to maintain a balanced diet especially when the season is getting close. Morales emphasized the importance of doing so.
“Making the right decisions in what you eat. Hydration, it’s hard… , water is the most important thing. …Kids struggle to stay hydrated, and if your hydration is good, a lot of the weight comes off easier and balances your metabolism. It really benefits your overall performance,” Morales said.
Coaches also have to spend a lot of time preparing for the season. Head girls varsity basketball coach Kevin Quach has to plan the events schedule, practices and routines for the athletes, and also spend individual time with each of the players to ensure maximum fitness for their league.
“The planning part, we were able to get the girls time during sixth period to use the gym to practice, but gym availability is a challenge,” Quach said.
All teams entering the winter sports cycle are ready to transition into their season with their constant practices during preseason. As league starts, players hope they can take home the victory, while improving on their skills.
“I look forward to winning league because I feel like the JV basketball team has a pretty good chance at winning league if we decide to lock in,” Yu said.
Transitioning into the season for athletes and coaches is not simple. Teams train for the winter season in their off season to prepare. As they move on to their league, athletes and coaches continue working hard with their recurrent practices.
