Last year’s winter sports teams brought Bay Shore huge success, and many are hoping for sports teams to have another noteworthy season. On Monday, Nov. 18, the winter sports season at Bay Shore High School officially began. This includes winter track, boys swimming, basketball, wrestling, bowling, and cheerleading. The 2024-2025 seasons are looking very promising to many students and these athletes have been preparing in several different ways throughout the year so far.
These athletes are eager to begin and are hoping to extend their seasons as long as possible, hopefully getting into playoffs and breaking prior Bay Shore records. This could include last year’s boys basketball team winning Long Island, league, and Suffolk County championships. Also, they ended their season as state finalists and had the most wins in Bay Shore boys basketball history dating back to 1907.
“This season will definitely be one for the books,” said Khaleis London, a small forward on the varsity girls basketball team. “We’re getting better and better everyday. Bay shore girls basketball hasn’t been in the playoffs in so long and we will make it happen this year. The girls team of 2024-25 will make an impact and we will make Bay Shore proud. I expect this season to be my best. I hope I can leave my mark.”
This excitement is also embodied in many other athletes who are counting the days until they can begin the sport season again.
“This season I’m hoping to make counties and states in the 100 free, 200 free and 500 free,” says James Bast, a freshman on the boys swimming team.
Similarly, “Some individual expectations that I have for the upcoming season are qualifying for the State Championship, receiving All-County, and running great times overall,” says Maggie McCormick, a junior who runs both cross country and track and field. “For the team I really am hoping for lots of success, and think we have the chance to win our league championship later in the season.”
However, what is especially great is that many of these teams don’t necessarily need to begin from the start, since they have already been working throughout their off seasons. This could be by doing team workouts, by playing in off-season leagues, or simply by having each player stay focused in school, therefore preparing both physically and mentally.
The wrestling team has had, “off season open mats practice throughout the whole year, pre-season open mats twice a week, and team lifts 3 days a week,” said senior varsity wrestler and captain, Chase Robinson-Becker.
This drive and dedication to improving in their specific sports can be seen in many devoted athletes, and there is a balance of both preparing alongside the team and preparing for their specific needs and goals by themselves.
“I am preparing for the upcoming season with lots of workouts specialized for my main event,” said McCormick.
This preparation leads to more successful seasons and allows the athletes to get straight to work once the season actually begins.
“I think all of this preparation is helping everyone get stronger, better, and more conditioned for the season,” said Robinson-Becker. “It’s also helping with our team building skills, everyone’s getting to know each other better and it really makes a difference in practices. Everyone wants the best for each other, and we push each other to do better.”
This mindset can be seen in athletes across the board who have put in the extra work to begin their preparation way before the season begins.
“I think we will be ahead of things. We will be a team of unity and understanding. The preparation has given us time that most teams don’t get,” said London.
However, each athlete operates in different ways and it’s important that each person does what is specifically needed for them. Athletes must balance their hard work athletically, while also handling school work, and allowing their bodies to stay healthy.
“After my cross country season ends I will also be preparing for the upcoming season with a week’s rest, as it’s super important to let your body rest for a bit, before starting back up again,” McCormick said.
This dedication and love for the sports that is visible in many of these athletes, usually are due to long term experiences with them. Many of these athletes have very strong connections to the winter season ahead and have been involved in them for several years.
“I’ve been a swimmer my whole life, I joined a club when I was five and I switched to the club I’ve been on ever since when I was six,” said Bast.
These sports play such a significant role in many of the Bay Shore students’ lives and it is an exciting time of year for the Bay Shore community. Not only is the winter season a time to showcase athletic excellence and cheer on our fellow Marauders, it is also a time where students form connections with one another and Bay Shore becomes even closer.
“This season will be bittersweet. It’s senior year and I’ve made a family that I’m not ready to leave yet but it will be fun and intense,” says London.
Overall, the winter athletes deeply value this season in order to spend time with their teammates and improve their abilities. The Bay Shore community as a whole cannot wait to cheer on these teams and watch them succeed.
