Many area districts have decided to integrate their sports programs into the “Fall II” season to give a variety of teams the chance to finish out their season. Granby is taking on a unique approach to adhere to the strict COVID regulations the town requires.
Both the boys and girls basketball teams will conduct their seasons completely outdoors bcause Granby’s available gyms lacked enough air flow to safety practice or play.
This change in scenery can come with many challenges for the Rams. New England doesn’t always promise warm weather, and the teams they play against must travel to Granby to play under those same conditions.
Granby girls basketball coach Erin Walch admitted their are some additional challenges from playing entirely outdoors.
“The biggest challenge we have is the weather,” she said. “Shooting outside is a lot different than inside. You have many different factors such as wind and the sun that you do not have inside the gym.”
There are two blacktop basketball courts at Granby set up side to side. Up to 25 athletes can practice on them aga time. Participants will still wear masks and adhere to socially distancing. Players practice every day after school. Games begin March 24 against Holyoke, though they’ll be officially classified as scrimmages due to the venue. Monson, Sabis, Southwick and Northampton are a on the schedule.
Veteran Granby boys coach Tim Sheehan, who has coached the Rams for 22 years said the unique situation can take a bit to get used to. As a coach who has been a part of traditional competitive routines, outdoor practices can sometimes be a struggle.
“It’s a tough situation for everybody,” Sheehan said. “I feel for the faculty, the players, and myself. It isn’t the same. Being outdoors has its ups and downs. During a loose ball, the instinct for me is to dive on the ground, and that is quite unsafe for players to do on the pavement. We have to face reality with the situation we are given here and for the fairness of all my players.”
Granby has had a long hiatus from athletics. The school didn’t partcipate during the traditional winter season. While the outdoor basketball situation may be an adjustment, senior Justice Delaney said that while she isn’t able to conclude her high school career under traditional circumstances, she’s rolling with the punches.
“We are all very excited that we got to see each other again,” said Delaney, noting that Granby’s juniors and seniors from have been fully remote for a year. “And even though it might not be the same as last season, we all try to have fun and make the best of the situation we are given.”
Coaches and players have remained positive at Granby, as they gear up for their first scrimmage. The program’s numbers are increasing as practice continued, and no one has withdrew.
“A majority of the schools are willing to play us,” Granby athletic director Alison Jordan-Gagner said. “With the weather being so beautiful [last week], it’s a really cool opportunity and it’s better than nothing, nonetheless. It’s incredible to see the kids back. They’re laughing and working up a sweat up out there. It’s nice to see them find a way to resume some type of normalcy.”