Fairfield, Highland look to resume classes, thus sports

A number of schools have gone to virtual learning and by the govenor's decree a school's sports are not allowed to practice or play if classes are not being conducted in person.

As soon as kids are in school, the practices and even the games may resume.

As a kid, it would be great to get to play official games without practice but it is a coach's nightmare.

Fairfield's Mick Flattery said he would want a week of practice for his boys basketball team after the ‘greenlight' to start.

'I know some teams play on the day or two back,” he said. 'As a player, I would say,'let's play tomorrow.' but we have to be very careful about the health of our players.”

Coaches are not to have contact with players other than to see how they are doing and to encourage them to stay in an athletic mind-set. It is up to students to work out however possible at the Y, parks, outdoor courts, basements or garages, even a driveway, any place to stay in an athletic mind-set will make a difference when official practice is allowed again.

Since school was suspended, Flattery has stayed in touch through Zoom meetings with his team asking questions about Thanksgiving, classes, college or pro games watched. '(We'll) watch a certain game and then text during the game, afterward, the next day, thoughts on what we would do offensively and defensively.”

Coach Derick Ball had one day of wrestling practice before Highland went virtual. Practice resumed Dec. 3 and the Huskies compete Thursday.

'Right now, I am taking one day at a time,” Ball said. 'I have no idea what tomorrow will bring with the current circumstances.”

Wrestling is an unique sport that demands self-discipline and accountability.

'If you want to be great, find a way to get workouts in,” Ball said.

Coach Bill Zywiec's Thursday practice with the Highland boys basketball team was the second of the season. Many teams have already played up to five or six games already. The Huskies graduated eight seniors so one thing needed is practice, The Huskies will not play a game until Dec. 15.

'Early in a season, it is more important for us to practice than play,” Zywiec said. 'It does not do my team any good to play a game when they have not had time to learn both the offense and defense.”

If the suspension of school had happened later, Zywiec said his team would be better prepared to play if a couple of practices were missed. But the first two weeks are extremely important when it comes to making sure a team is ready when games begin.

Fairfield has been four weeks without a practice and the Trojans have a new girls basketball coach in Pat Pacha so the list of things needed to practice is very long. 'We will have to adjust but I would hope they are at least getting a basketball in their hands and doing some running,” Pacha said.

Highland athletic director and girls basketball coach Jody Fink pointed out that there are to be no Google meets or zooms for a practice-type atmosphere, just encouragement to stay in a basketball mind-set. Highland had 22 girls at the first practice, then 15 on Day 2 and Friday down to nine.

'When we get past Christmas break, we may end up playing without practicing in January, but in December when we have not had our beginning practices, I believe it is important to get your program infused to the kids and give them a fighting chance instead of just throwing them out there to the wolves.”

All five coaches mentioned the possibility of injury needs to be avoided, especially for the sole purpose of playing too soon.

All the coaches did what they could to encourage their teams to find places to practice.

Weather is one thing when it comes to playing and getting things done, but this pandemic is a completely different situation. If kids contract the virus, then their abilities are going to be affected.

'This is not your everyday flu virus and I think we need to be very careful with how we confront this overall,” Fink said.

At this point in time the plan for Fairfield is to be able to start practices Saturday.

'Our school is set to move to the Hybrid Learning Model Monday, Dec. 14,” Fairfield athletic director Jeff Courtright said. 'First contests would be occurring the week of Dec. 14.”

'I know this,” Flattery said, 'I've been in this game for 35 years as a coach and I can tell you when you get something that you love taken away, you cherish what you've lost and don't take anything for granted because you never know when you get to practice or play again.”