By Sam Kombrink
High School basketball in the South Kansas City metro has been plagued with uncertainty since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but schools are prepared to make the most out of it.
Now that the Kansas City Chiefs season has ended, sports fans can turn their attention to winter sports, including basketball. March Madness is almost here, and basketball fans are ready to watch their favorite teams in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile some readers are rooting for loved ones, as local high school basketball players prepare for the postseason and life beyond high school.
To those readers that may have played a sport growing up, take yourself back to the days of playing the game you loved. Now imagine if you played a season during a pandemic. For local high school athletes that have been facing the adversity of the past two seasons, it will be a memory and life lesson that they will never forget. Beyond every obstacle there is something better, and the struggle will make not just the team stronger, but the community stronger overall. If you happen to be a local high school athlete on a team that is struggling, use it as a lesson. Use these times to your advantage because no other generation has ever encountered trying to do what you have during a pandemic.
One local high school that has found success on the basketball court is Grandview High School. The Girls Team have a record of (12-7) and are led by junior guard Cierra Smith, who is one of the best high school basketball players in Kansas City. On February 11th Smith scored her 1,500th point as the Bulldogs defeated Winnetonka by a score of 73-18. As for the Boys Basketball team, the Bulldogs have a record of (8-10) with a four-game win streak in the month of February as they prepare to make it back to the postseason where they have had previous success.
The Martin City Telegraph was able to ask Grandview Boy’s head basketball coach Reggie Morris some questions regarding the season.
How has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected your job specifically?
“The only challenge I have faced is not being able to spend time with my players and staff. It has allowed me to do a lot of self-reflection on myself and the program.”
What do you think will be different going forward?
“I hope it (pandemic) will help all to appreciate and respect life and the opportunities that come with. I anticipate greater commitment and dedication.”
If any, do you believe there will be long-term positive change in terms of the pandemic and current racial injustice?
“I think it will help people to take their health and the health of others more seriously as well as strengthen relationships. The younger generation for the most part, have a greater respect and appreciation for all people. It is the past generation that are still holding on to some of the old biases regarding race.”
Head coach Reggie Morris also anticipates any impact the pandemic has had on the season will, “give us more time to focus on our priorities in life and as a team.”
High School Basketball Records
(As of 2/15/21)
Girls Basketball:
Notre Dame de Sion (15-6)
- Last game: 2/13 L 24-42 @ Winnetonka
- Class 4 District 13 tournament dates: 2/27-3/5/2021
Lutheran (5-14)
- Last game: 2/13 W 40-37 vs Ballard
- Class 1 District 8 tournament dates: 2/20-27/2021
Barstow (14-3)
Have won 14 games in a row!
- Last game: 2/12 W 69-60 @ University Academy
- Class 3 District 14 tournament dates: 2/20-25/2021
Ruskin (0-13)
- Last game: 2/8 @ Winnetonka – (Cancelled)
- Class 1 District 8 tournament dates: 2/20-27/2021
Center (5-8)
- Last game: 2/11@ Warrensburg – Rescheduled for 2/25
- Class 4 District 15 tournament dates: 3/2-4/2021
Grandview (12-7)
- Last game: 2/11 W 73-18 vs Winnetonka
- Class 5 District 13 tournament dates: 2/27-3/5/2021
Belton (8-8)
- Last game: 2/12 W 57-29 vs Central
- Class 6 District 13 tournament: 3/1-4/2021
Boys Basketball
Rockhurst (7-12)
- Last game: 2/10 L 50-53 @ Blue Springs
- Class 6 District 13 tournament dates: 2/27-3/5/2021
Lutheran (1-15)
- Last game: 2/12 W 81-10 vs Ballard
- Class 1 District 8 tournament dates: 2/22-27/2021
Barstow (6-8)
- Last game: 2/12 @ University Academy Charter – (Cancelled)
- Class 4 District 13 tournament dates: 2/27-3/5/2021
Ruskin (8-12)
- Last game: 2/11 W 56-52 @ Raytown South
- Class 5 District 13 tournament dates: 3/1-4/2021
Center (14-2)
- Last game: 2/12 @ Warrensburg – (Rescheduled for 2/25/2021)
- Class 4 District 15 tournament dates: 3/1-5/2021
Grandview (8-10)
- Last game: 2/12 W 49-37 vs Winnetonka
- Class 5 District 13 tournament dates: 3/1-4/2021
Belton (11-8)
- Last game: 2/11 W 56-52 vs Raytown
- Class 6 District 13 tournament dates: 2/27-3/5/2021