YULA Girls | Panther Post | Issue I | November 2020

PAGE 10 | NOVEMBER, 2020
ATHLETICS
THE PANTHER POST | YULA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
YULA Sports Practices Via Social Distancing
BY AVA KOHANTEB ‘23
As the school year began, many
doubted our return to campus and
the assembly of sports competitions.
With the collaborative effort
of the CDC, citywide health organizations,
and YULA to mitigate
the spread of COVID-19 among
athletes, the Samson Center has
reopened for the availability of all
sports teams.
Many teams have already begun
their weekly practices including
Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer and
Cross Country, along with Track
& Field beginning in two weeks.
We have established a staggered
athletics schedule whereby each
subdivision of the four sports
meets with their respective coach
at separate times -- each group
has a maximum capacity of ten
people as a means to adhere to
social distancing. Athletes are
required to both wear masks and
be mindful of not using equipment
which had been previously
used by another athlete. As to
prevent the athletes from coming
in contact with unsanitary objects,
each person uses their own ball
to practice individually, followed
by a thorough sanitization after
they’ve practiced.
Volleyball practices began
almost a month ago with three separate
groups practicing at different
times. Varsity volleyball practices
with Coach Zamir, perfecting their
techniques and getting back into
the game, while the JV team practices
their new learned skills with
JV Coach Tiareh Cruz. Junior
Leila Fishman attended the varsity
volleyball practices and found
that “having in-person practices
is very bittersweet. Being able to
speak to the team in person and
have natural flowing conversations
is amazing. At the same
time, I hope to be able to practice
with teammates without needing
to remain six feet apart and sanitize
the equipment.”
Varsity Soccer practices started
up again on Tuesday evenings
with Coach Noga Wind entering
her third year as coach of the
YULA Panthers. To be socially
distanced, the team modified their
practices to work more on ball
control and skill. The drills they
work on are to improve their dribbling
and increase stamina. The
athletes work out during these
practices to tone their muscles
and get back into shape for a great
upcoming season. Varsity soccer
athlete Gili Adry thought that
practices via social distancing are
“exciting but pose a challenge to
be wearing a mask while training
and doing drills. The social distance
is a little difficult at times,
but I believe it allows me to focus
more on skill and ball control.”
Similarly, the Samson center
PHOTOS BY NOAM NIZZANI
is being used for JV and varsity
basketball practices. On
Wednesdays, the varsity team
practices with Coach Tyus Edney,
gaining technique and working on
their individual abilities to dribble
and shoot from different standing
points. Coach Elisha Taylor
works with the previous year’s
JV team and freshman together,
guiding them to develop skills
and perfect dribbling which will
aid in their success in the expected
season. “It’s great to be on
the court with my teammates and
Coach Tyus. Of course, we would
love to be able to work together
but we are using the time to
get better independently while we
wait for the green light to begin
regular practices,” adds varsity
basketball player Alexa Huemann.
All Coaches are working hard to
improve the skills of their athletes
to ensure a season with many wins
and accomplishments.
Though the additional rules set
into place may be irritating to the
athletes and act as challenges to
practicing to the best of their abilities,
it assures parents and athletes
that practices are as safe as possible.
It is an adjustment that athletes
are able to adapt to and will
make the most of these socially
distanced practices. The delight of
being back in the gym with their
teammates is what makes these
practices most special to athletes
who are all glad to be back!
Fans’ Thoughts About the New Virtual Sports
BY NAVA GELB ‘24
Basketball has opened and
ecstasy pervaded the country.
The 300 guests who appeared on
screens surrounding the court,
the fans watching from home,
and the players themselves have
shared their opinions and perspectives
on how it all worked.
Many people’s dream in life
is to acquire the opportunity to
emerge onto the silver screen.
Now, with sports’ lacking people
in the stands, there are more possibilities
to achieve this because
NBA games started hosting virtual
fan meets. These lucky individuals
received an invitation to
appear on the screens during the
basketball games in the relaxed
setting of their homes. They
used Microsoft’s “Together”
mode, which works by allowing
many different people with
varying backdrops to look as if
they shared a background. This
software turned the unfamiliar
experience into an event that felt
normal and enjoyable during
these trying times.
The virtual games also
brought great joy and excitement.
People loved chatting
with other fans. Even if they
cheered for the opposing team,
the light debates and interesting
conversations introduced a
new type of entertainment. The
online sociability of a basketball
game is a new aspect that people
might want to continue in the
future.
However, other fans noted
that this unique situation isn’t
that terrible. It is similar to what
people are used to. Except for
the hard-core admirers who
traveled to be present at every
game of the team they supported,
most people were only there
for games once or twice a year,
so they aren’t missing the experience
the same way.
Even with all the excitement,
run-of-the-mill fans were disappointed
in the new version.
Some fans stated that watching
now can be depressing. They
had enjoyed seeing real people
in the stands because it made
the games seem vivid and lively.
The viewers didn’t feel the same
zest, excitement, or spark they
used to because they are now
surrounded by the stillness of
the muted fans on their computers.
All the alterations to allow
games to occur safely may
feel frightening and irritating.
However, John Wooden, who
coached UCLA’s men’s basketball
team, said, “Things turn out
best for the people who make
the best of the way things turn
out.” We can constantly utilize
this message these days. Even
though basketball will not be
played normally for some time,
we can make the best out of the
scenario. If we do this, we will
come out stronger than ever
before.