CHIEFTAIN
Sports
Winter Sports Finally OK ’ d to Play
By Chieftain Staff
This is the second consecutive season that the COVID pandemic has affected high school Winter sports in Michigan . The onset last March canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 season , and the resurgence in November has delayed most high school sports this season .
But all that changed last week , when it was announced that the Winter contact sports – Basketball , Hockey , and Wrestling – could start their seasons , joining Skiing , Swimming and Bowling , and giving Brother Rice a full slate of winter activity .
Here is a quick look at what to expect in this abbreviated Winter season .
Basketball
This basketball season is going to do nothing but excite . The squad , led by Varsity returners such as Senior Captain Will Shannon , and Sophomores Xavier Thomas and Curtis Williams , won tune-ups this week against East Pointe and Renaissance before opening league play against De La Salle .
After a long and uncertain preseason spent wondering if there even would be a season , the Warriors are ready for action .
Shannon was straight to-the-point when asked about the season , saying ,
“ We ’ re feelin ’ fantastic .”
Hockey The boys showed they are fired up
Senior Ryan Marone skates against St . Mary ’ s
and ready to put the skates back on after their opening win against league rival St . Mary ’ s .
“ We ’ re looking really good this season and we ’ ve got a lot of really good guys on the team ,” Senior Ryan Marone said . “ Even though we ’ ve got these standouts , we always work as a team .” When asked the really important
Current Band of Brothers Scoreboard
question , if they would beat CC this year , Marone was blatant . “ Of course ,” he said , “ not even a question .” Swimming and Diving
After a COVID-caused delay , the swimmers got their first win against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard last week . This season , the team is built around Edward St . Amor , Elijah Venos , Dominik Popp , and Conner Kulka .
“ You know we ’ ve got a lot of doubters right now ,” said Kulka , “ but nobody will put in more effort than us .”
MIPrepZone
Wrestling
The wrestlers have a young core , led by Sophomores Luke Nelson and Brennan Parent , along with Senior Julian Abro .
“ With the season confirmed , we have high expectations for a winning record ,” said Junior Matthew Kolesky .
The team ’ s top competition will come from local schools such as St . Mary ’ s , Seaholm , and Divine Child .
Bowling
While the bowlers dropped their first match last week against U of D Jesuit , the team will look to move forward into the heart of the schedule this week .
Senior Colin O ’ Rourke is trying to take the team on a run this year . He ’ ll be leading a lot of talented young players .
“ It ’ s a great experience with a lot of great people , and even though we got off to a slow start I think the team has ability and talent ,” says Jake Yono , a Sophomore and first-time bowler .
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Editor ’ s Note : The Skiing Team was previewed in the December Chieftain .
Brother Rice High School Chieftain Page 8 f e b ruary 2021