With  COVID-19 cases increasing, RCHS has postponed all sports until January; a change that has affected all winter sports. One sport that is affected is girls basketball. The girls basketball team has 14 scheduled games that will begin sometime in January. Originally, games were supposed to begin on Dec. 22.With this time off from conditioning, the athletes will have more time to prepare for the season on their own. 

Misty Armstong is the Head Coach of the RCHS Girls’ Basketball team. She works alongside Assistant coaches Penni Allen and Keston Beverly.

 “In terms of goals for the season, we feel like just being able to play is a real goal at the moment,” said Armstrong. “With government mandates and the situation changing daily, our first goal is simply to be able to have a season, get back on the court in a true competitive season, and provide some normalcy to our girls who play.” 

Right now, like all other winter sports, basketball is at a pause. Many changes have been made involving basketball, including open gym policies.

“Athletes must sign a COVID-19 release form to participate. Athletes also have to wear masks inside and outside of the building before and after workouts. Social distancing in the gym is a must, and lots of sanitation protocols are in place,” said Armstrong. “Our open gyms look very different this year than they have in the past. There will be changes for game situations as well, but like I said before, we’re just hoping to be able to play and that we will make it to participating in actual contests.”

Emily Mahood is a junior at RCHS. She plays combo guard on the RCHS girls basketball team. A combo guard is a player who combines the roles of a point guard and shooting guard but does not fit the standard description of either position. 

“We had open gyms once or twice a week at MRMS,” said Mahood. “Coach Armstrong also provided at home workouts for us to complete.”

Mahood also plays for Team Loaded in Roanoke and attends workouts there every week. 

“I love all the friendships and memories you make playing basketball,” said Mahood.

With COVID-19 cases increasing, no one is really sure when sports will be able to proceed. Winter sports being postponed gives time for everyone to stay home and wait for cases to go down. These athletes should be back on the court soon enough, but until then, the postponement gives them time to focus on other things, such as schoolwork.

“I am incredibly excited and looking forward to our season this year,” said Mahood. “We know this season will be different, but we are determined to stay optimistic and thankful for every second we have on the court.”