Nadine Alsaghir
Arts and Sports
Although their season has ended, Earl Haig’s junior girls' basketball team had an amazing season in which they demonstrated great team spirit and dedication. After a cancelled season last year, it’s difficult to describe their eagerness to finally play in the league. This season has been a great one to remember, filled with many victories and memories.
“It sucked that we weren’t able to play. Of course, it was unfortunate, but I think even still it was a learning experience. We wouldn’t be where we are today as a team if we hadn’t gone to practices last year, and hadn’t learned, and committed to what we’re doing this year as well,” said Sadie Tseng, one of the players on the starting lineup.
As announced by Mr. James, coach of the girls and boys basketball team of Earl Haig, the juniors were going to be having a 2022 season. They were eager to experience new endeavours in their basketball careers.
During the first two games of the season, Earl Haig succeeded against their opponents. With twenty seconds left on the clock, everyone was on the edge of their seats as the teams were tied. As the crowd cheered on for their team, Earl Haig scored with a brilliant play, defeating the CW Jefferys team. The game after that, Earl Haig defeated York Mills. For two months, the team practiced together almost five days a week to continue their win streak.
“I knew I had to be really dedicated, I was confident about that, and it taught me a lot about myself,” said Emi Lako, one of the juniors on the team.
As I interviewed the players, I witnessed their cooperation and the encouragement they gave one another. During one instance, there was a time when the players were told an hour before their game that they had to play against George S. Henry, as their schedule was accidentally mixed up. Yet despite this, they defeated the opposing team. The team made the semi-finals of the playoffs, and placed third after an incredibly close game, losing against CW Jeffreys by one point.
“At first I was really mad, and in my mind there were a lot of what ifs, but then I was just glad that I got to play with our team and have Mr. James coach us”, says Deniz Norouzi, another player on the starting lineup.
With great coaching from Mr. James, the junior girls had an impressive season. It was exciting to see their tremendous effort on the court. Despite it being a short season, it was an astounding experience in a chapter of their high school lives. Next year, they’ll have new, stirring basketball experiences to encounter.
“I really like basketball because whenever you get that basket or dribble the ball down the court, you’re doing something for yourself, and that’s sometimes really empowering,” says Sadie. Basketball means different things to each player, but to everyone, it’s an opportunity to change and grow.