AS THE fall season ends, so do many sports. All the hard work and dedication athletes put in are now at rest. So, what happens now that volleyball, football, and cross country are finished? It’s time for winter sports to take center stage. This year, the winter sports season is bigger and better than ever. Let’s check in with some of the Granger High Lancers to see what’s happening this winter!
The first sport to highlight is basketball, a sport loved and well-known around the world. Last year, the Lancers had a fantastic season, thanks to Coach Tidwell. After his recent resignation, the team has welcomed a new coach, Mr. Chandler, who recently returned to Granger High as a World History teacher. Many players believe this change will be beneficial for the team.
Brighton Webb (12) is gearing up for his first year playing high school basketball. He says, “The coaches have been welcoming and helpful to me and other players to build our skills.” Will Tidwell (10) has been playing basketball his whole life and is known as a playmaker on the court. “Although my dad has coached me for almost all my life, I know these coaches can help me a lot,” Tidwell says.
Meanwhile, the girls’ basketball team has been on a roll. Over the past month, they’ve had open gyms and practices. Kato Makoni (12), a Senior, is preparing for her final season of high school basketball. She says, “The coaches have been helpful, especially Coach Manny.” Coach Manny has been coaching the Lady Lancers for six years. He says he has seen nothing but improvement in the players and hopes to see them succeed in the future.
Basketball isn’t the only sport taking place this winter. Wrestling is also a key winter sport at Granger High. In wrestling, two competitors aim to force each other’s backs to the mat to score points. Coach Livingston leads the team and has helped several athletes earn a region title and even make it to state. Radly Martin (11) has been part of the wrestling team since his freshman year. He says wrestling has helped him improve in football.
While many sports have recently ended, the offseason is one of the most important parts of having a successful season. Track and field season is just around the corner, and Tanner Fleischel (10) has just wrapped up football season. Fleischel, the starting wide receiver for the Junior Varsity team, had many receptions this past season. Last year, he was one of the fastest runners in the 100-meter race during track season. He says, “The coaches have definitely helped build up my skills and footwork.”
As girls’ volleyball ends, the boys’ volleyball team is preparing for their season. This team is led by Coach Hess. Mason Biddulph (12) says, “Coach makes the game fun, not just making it all about volleyball.” Biddulph adds that volleyball is a safe and enjoyable environment for the boys on the team.
