In Time of Thanks, Winter Sports Season Begins

By: Jeremy Dietrich

 

            Thanksgiving has come and gone. It’s the time of year where people give thanks for what they have, and then go out the next day and want to get more for less. Thanksgiving also traditionally marks the transition of the seasons, from the end of fall to the beginning of winter. And so, the winter sports are beginning their new season.

            First, here’s the fall sports wrap-up. The football regular season ended Friday, October 26, and the state playoffs began Friday, November 2 and ended Saturday, November 24. Cross country had their state meet on Saturday, November 3. Girls’ golf had their state tournament on October 26 and 27, while the boys’ golf state tournament was Monday and Tuesday, October 29 and 30. Swim and dive had their state meet on November 3. Last, but certainly not least, the volleyball state tournament began on October 30 and ended November 6. Thus, the fall sports season is now over, with the state tournaments showcasing the best teams in each sport in all of Arizona.

            The winter season, however, has just begun. The five AIA-sanctioned sports in the winter are boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, and wrestling. Tryouts for all of these sports started October 29, and the teams had about two to three weeks to prepare, depending on if the schools decide to enter in any preseason tournaments. This is the first week of AIA season games for all sports at all levels, and many schools are starting with district games.

            As the daylight continues to grow shorter and the days continue to become colder, the winter sports season is just getting underway. The student athletes are preparing for the end of the semester in the classroom and the beginning of intense competition on the court, field, or mat. So let’s give thanks for the great fall sports season we had and hope for an exciting winter sports season.