When the winter sports season started, the girls JV basketball team could not host in-person practice, and when they were allowed to practice, they could not pass or shoot. Thanks to Head Coach Ron Monroe, the team has stayed positive and made the most of this unique season.
Coach Monroe has coached girls basketball for years, and he has never had a season quite like this one. “We started with Zoom meetings with all the girls interested in playing,” Coach Monroe said. “Then we did some individual workouts with those players, and then it eventually evolved into a season where we could practice, but we could only do certain things. In terms of practice-planning, there was a focused amount of skills we could work on, and with each week it got better. Within two weeks of our season starting, we could have regular practices.”
Coach Monroe focuses on staying positive and taking advantage of whatever opportunity the team has to improve their skills. “I think to be able to play the game even within the restrictions was a good thing, and as the restrictions were lifted, being able to play more of the game was a good thing,” Coach Monroe said. When the restrictions finally allowed for in-person practice with limited practice and shooting, Coach Monroe was excited for a little bit of normalcy. “I was just happy to get out there and coach after not being able to do so for weeks,” he said.
Unfortunately, the girls JV basketball team has no games scheduled for this season, but Coach Monroe and the team do not mind. They have been making each practice fun and competitive by doing shooting contests and keeping score during drills. “We’ve been dividing the team and scrimmaging,” Coach Monroe said, “so having game-like scrimmages has kept practice interesting.”
This season has been really memorable for the team. “My goals were just to provide a learning experience,” Coach Monroe said, “but a fun experience for the players.”
Sophomore forward Ellen Jacobson has played for Coach Monroe for two years. “Coach Monroe is a fantastic coach,” she said. “Not only is he phenomenal in terms of teaching JV players how to either learn the basics or master their skills, but he also forms relationships with each and every player on the team. We love him and I always look forward to JV ball practice!”
Coach Monroe’s favorite part of coaching the team is seeing players play what they practice. “To see a player put herself outside of her comfort zone and succeed at it is really gratifying.”
The girls JV basketball team and Coach Monroe are already looking forward to next season and can’t wait to get back to playing games.
