Within every athlete and sport comes loud moments. The astonishing feat that immediately puts respect on someone’s name. The achievement that is echoed over and over because of its lasting impression. Sports fans love to focus on these grand accolades and triumphs, game winning plays and photo-finishes. 

But is the pursuit of technical greatness all that should be celebrated? No; the quiet moments apart from the spotlight can be just as, if not more, powerful than these big moments. Among these are instances where a team shows respect and sportsmanship, sharing words and actions of encouragement to both teammates and opponents. They speak to the character of athletes and the camaraderie of a team, who appreciate their sport for more than just the glories. Away from the hustle, they help us appreciate the reasons and people that make our sports great. 

In this photo story, we feature the softer moments hidden in the intense competition of fall and winter sports. To many athletes, the supportive nature of their team stands out as a reason to persevere even through times of defeat.

Gallery • 8 Photos

Kairui Sun

Junior varsity boys basketball head coach Nick Nguyen ('15) talks to point guard Caden Ruan (10) about improving the team's offense during a break. Nguyen began coaching the junior varsity team in 2022 after originally being assistant coach for the varsity team a year prior. Caden moved up from the junior varsity to the varsity team this season.