Winter sports practices kick off

Senior+Asmit+Kumar+evades+a+steal+attempt+by+Ryan+Tobin+%2811%29+during+%0Apractice.+There+are+three+boys+soccer+teams+this+year.

Anna Vazhaeparambil

Senior Asmit Kumar evades a steal attempt by Ryan Tobin (11) during practice. There are three boys soccer teams this year.

by Anna Vazhaeparambil and Aditya Singhvi

As fall sports conclude their playoff runs, four winter sports — boys basketball, girls basketball, boys soccer and girls soccer — began practices last week. The athletic department discontinued wrestling this year, citing a lack of student interest. 

“There’s not enough interest to make it a viable program. Love the sport, but it’s just been declining in numbers for the last couple of years. They stopped it at the middle school a few years ago,” athletic director Dan Molin said. 

Boys basketball will add a freshman team this year in addition to the junior varsity and varsity squads. Both girls and boys varsity teams will play their first games of the season in Hawaii this year, where they will compete against local Mauii teams.

“I’m really excited for this year, and I think we’re going to do pretty [well]. We miss our seniors from last year, but I think we have a lot of young talent now that can fill the void.” varsity boys basketball center Eric Zhu (11) said. 

Boys soccer has added a frosh-soph team this season due to a greater number of players compared to previous years. The Kicks Against Cancer match will also still be happening this year, although this may no longer be an annual event in the future.

“Kicks Against Cancer is about coming together as a community to support a cause that everyone can relate to, and the best part is seeing everyone in the stands wearing purple before the match,” varsity player Sasvath Ramachandran (10) said. “I’m especially excited about making the banners and posters in the weeks leading up to the match, because it makes the actual night all the more worthwhile and meaningful.”