The gym closure has evoked a sense of sorrow among the entire student body. However, the impact has particularly impacted our sports teams, especially our JV basketball team.
The team practices at another school far away from our own. Their unwavering determination is admirable, but this is still a massive disadvantage that they have to face, so how has the closing of the gym affected the team?
“I don’t think it has really affected too much,” coach Victor Wang said. “Maybe even just positivity being able to get them here to school on time.”
Student athlete Daniel Gustilo shared his experience with the closing of the gym,
emphasizing his long commute time and monetary problems with getting to the new location for practice.
“I got to wake up at 4:30 in the morning,” Daniel Gustilo said. “I spend like $20 on an Uber every time I go to practice.”
Despite the practical and monetary challenges that they face, coach Victor Wang believed the closing of the gym was just a minor inconvenience for the players.
“One thing I hope is that they can come to school on time,” Victor Wang said. “That was kind of what I was hoping for if we had the practice at school, there would be no issue of lateness.”
Victor Wang’s confidence in his team is well deserved. Although they do not have access to the gym, the basketball team continues to dominate the court and win their games, and their spirit is shown in the team.
“This is the first time that I have ever had such a high boost of confidence,” Daniel Gustilo said. “I have the confidence to use my capabilities.”
But Daniel’s new profound confidence is not random. He talked about his experience in the team and the safe environment they have created.
“We bring them (players) up, we uplift them,” Daniel Gustilo said. “We tell them about their mistakes but we don’t confront them in a bad way.”
Not only were the basketball players very skilled in their sport, but they also learned the sportsmanship that Mr. Wang would’ve been very proud of.
“We try to get them to be friends with each other,” Victor Wang said. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about the sports, it’s about them being good people.”
