Sports

By Olivia Dodenhoff & Mia Stephanoff INTERNS

Goodbyes have been said to various coaches, and it is now time to say hello to the new ones at North. Senior Clare Ramsdell is welcoming not only one, but two new coaches this year, having both a new field hockey and assistant ice hockey coach. Although getting new coaches in her last year on the team isn’t ideal, Ramsdell has a positive outlook. “It would’ve been nice to finish out the seasons with our old coaches,” Ramsdell said. “But I don’t think it’s a bad thing because it pushes us all to learn in a new way, and learn a sport from someone new, which is always good to have [that] new perspective.” The transition to a new coaching staff was difficult for Ramsdell since it took some getting used to, but she says that the change gave a nice balance to practices. “I think our new coach has been beneficial for us because she has a lot of drills prepared when she comes,” Ramsdell said. “She makes us get right into things. It helps balance out our other coach.” Athletic Director and Vice Principal Michelle Davis says that finding these new coaches isn’t an easy job. Interviews have to be set up and carried out, and mini practice sessions can even occur. “Current coaches also help and are part of the interview process along with GPPSS staff, parents and student athletes for the mini sessions,” Davis said. “We are always searching for the best possible candidate for any open coaching position.” As new coaches come to North, Davis says it may leave some wondering why past coaches have left, but the answer is actually quite simple. “The coaches who have recently left North have decided to leave for family reasons, accepting new teaching jobs closer to home, or were sub level coaches and are left for upper level coaching positions at other schools,” Davis said. Davis expressed her positivity towards them as they move from this chapter in their lives. She then looks towards the future of sports coaching and creating an uplifting environment for the community. “I am happy for the coaches who have left,” Davis said. “We just do our best to adjust and make the athletic experience at North safe, fun and the best it can be.” One of North’s own teachers, Robert Johnson, has taken it upon himself to become the new Junior Varsity boys basketball coach. Even with the troubles of the low numbers in the coaching staff, Johnson is using it as a chance to head in the right direction. “It’s affected me in a positive way,” Johnson said. “We did have some turnover in the basketball program this year with a new freshman coach and a new JV coach, which led to an opportunity for me.” Although the transition for athletes to new coaches may be strenuous, Johnson seems to look past that. He oversees the downsides to the lack of coach retention, and, instead, notices the upsides. “The more turnover, the more changes that come,” Johnson said. “I don’t necessarily think that turnover is a bad thing either. It’s nice to have younger coaches starting to come up and some fresh faces, fresh ideas.” Because of his new position, Johnson wants to lay down foundations of trust between him and the players. As a teacher, Johnson is surrounded by his players in a school environment and is excited to further their unique bonds through basketball. “I'm excited to make those connections with the guys that I see,” Johnson said. “It’s just fun seeing the guys everyday in the hallway and making those connections. Being able to be with the guys and get ready to play.” While Johnson filled in to make the JV boys basketball season possible, help is still needed to sustain North’s coaching staff. Johnson believes that teachers in the building have the potential to bring what it takes to do just that. “If you recruit from within the building, that could be a solution of how to retain teachers and coaches for a longer time,” Johnson said. Although it was hard to leave her past coaches, Ramsdell says that ultimately, the situation was handled in a proper and thoughtful way, and it came together in the end. “I think it caused a lot of us to work together. There was definitely a switch, but it worked out,” Ramsdell said.

By Jami Townsend STAFF REPORTER

DUNK IT | Senior J’Shun Foster is on the basketball team and understands that masks are to keep players healthy, but can make it harder to perform. “I feel it is for our safety, but you’re going to get tired wearing a mask running up and down the court,” Foster said.

JAMI TOWNSEND

KAITLYN BARR

KEEP AN EYE OUT | Senior Sammy Lucido, a member of the gymnastics team, thinks that wearing a mask can make her sport more dangerous. “I definitely think it’s dangerous while doing the sport because we are constantly flipping around,” Lucido said. “Masks will often fall over our eyes making skills very tough considering we can’t see.”

GAME | Junior Sophia Borowski says that the physically demanding nature of basketball is exacerbated by wearing a mask. “Definitely playing basketball, it’s a lot of running,” Borowski said. “So wearing a mask, you have to breathe out your mouth more. It's a lot harder.”