Hoopin’ (and Maskin’) It Up: How the Bison Girls’ Basketball team overcame their biggest obstacle yet
Masking rules associated with the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges to the 2021 Bison Girls’ Basketball season
In perhaps the most unprecedented and unusual season to date, the Buffalo High School Girls Basketball team has faced and overcome many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a December spent crossing fingers for any form of a season, the girls were given the opportunity for a shortened season beginning in January of 2021 full of unique challenges. Among these challenges were a mask mandate. All members of the team would be expected to wear a mask during practices and games, forcing the players to adjust and embrace discomfort.
“I think the biggest impact of the season was just the players getting used to wearing the masks,” Head Coach Grant Stewart said. “I think it’s definitely affected their ability to breathe. I would say this year, more than any other year, players are tired quicker and they can’t play nearly the number of minutes, or at the intensity that they typically could perform at.”
Despite the obvious frustrations presented by the mask wearing, players have learned to adapt as individuals and as a team.
“Everybody’s in the same situation,” Stewart said. “There’s really no need to complain about it. It is what it is and you just have to go and play and make the best of it.”
The Bison wrap up their regular season tonight at New Prague with section play beginning next week.
Photo by Maddy Anderson
