BROOKLYN, New York—Against all odds the Cougars stood strong. The Cougars are the girl’s basketball team at Middle School 61 in Brooklyn, New York. The team is made up of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders. Dean of Students Bryan Mariner coaches the girls.
During this basketball season the Cougars were in a video showing the obstacles some players face. For example, some players have to watch their siblings after school. They can’t get to practice as often nor are they able to go to the game because they have to babysit.
Empty bleachers are another issue. The Cougars are not the only team facing these challenges. Many students in New York City’s middle schools are experiencing the same things.
We asked the athletes how they feel when they see empty bleachers on their side of the floor. Their responses were mixed. Some players said that the bleaches are not always empty. Sometimes the boys come out to cheer them on and they do the same for the boy’s basketball team. A couple of the girls said that if they asked their families to come to the game they would.
“I don’t want my family see me mess up,” said eight-grade athlete Genesis Williams. She felt having her family at the game would be a distraction.
“I want to be able to focus on the game,” said Jessica Quashic. The eighth-grade player described an incident at one game when her family came. They had a big sign with her name and number, and they kept calling her name, saying “Oh! That’s my baby!”
Some of the girls said they wished that their families did come to some of the games. In their own ways they worked through it because they love playing basketball.
Even though basketball season was challenging, team spirit was high. The girls didn’t speak about their team members’ different economic backgrounds and family restrictions.
They spoke of their own challenges. It was hard to get to practice and games, hard to maintain a 75 or above grade average in order to play on the team; hard to avoid fighting among themselves or against the opposing team. Emotional challenges included getting over feelings of inadequacy, thinking not everyone put all their effort into the game or the feeling of being a weak player. The team works against the odds. Often they are underestimated.
“I believe that the odds are against us because we are girls and basketball is dominant male sport. We have to work harder to show that we have skills,” said Olivia Colbert.
Playing basketball develops skills the players are able to use in other areas of their lives. They learned tolerance, “We can’t jump in ref’s face when he doesn’t make the call when someone hits you,” said one player.
“Working together, if we not all working together we will be confusing, everyone doing their own thing then end up losing the shot,” said Jessica. “We learn to deal with different people,” said eighth grader Victoria Renna.
His players describe Coach Mariner as committed and funny. They called him “mean,” or strict. He takes the team to high school and college basketball games. When it’s time to practice he doesn’t want to see players fooling around. Coach Mariner has been coaching for over 20 years and is the Dean of Students at Middle School 61 in Brooklyn, New York.
The love of basketball is what keeps the Cougars on the court and overcoming challenges. They don’t see the lack that adults see. The only thing the players want is to play basketball as much as possible.
During this basketball season the Cougars were in a video showing the obstacles some players face. For example, some players have to watch their siblings after school. They can’t get to practice as often nor are they able to go to the game because they have to babysit.
Empty bleachers are another issue. The Cougars are not the only team facing these challenges. Many students in New York City’s middle schools are experiencing the same things.
We asked the athletes how they feel when they see empty bleachers on their side of the floor. Their responses were mixed. Some players said that the bleaches are not always empty. Sometimes the boys come out to cheer them on and they do the same for the boy’s basketball team. A couple of the girls said that if they asked their families to come to the game they would.
“I don’t want my family see me mess up,” said eight-grade athlete Genesis Williams. She felt having her family at the game would be a distraction.
“I want to be able to focus on the game,” said Jessica Quashic. The eighth-grade player described an incident at one game when her family came. They had a big sign with her name and number, and they kept calling her name, saying “Oh! That’s my baby!”
Some of the girls said they wished that their families did come to some of the games. In their own ways they worked through it because they love playing basketball.
Even though basketball season was challenging, team spirit was high. The girls didn’t speak about their team members’ different economic backgrounds and family restrictions.
They spoke of their own challenges. It was hard to get to practice and games, hard to maintain a 75 or above grade average in order to play on the team; hard to avoid fighting among themselves or against the opposing team. Emotional challenges included getting over feelings of inadequacy, thinking not everyone put all their effort into the game or the feeling of being a weak player. The team works against the odds. Often they are underestimated.
“I believe that the odds are against us because we are girls and basketball is dominant male sport. We have to work harder to show that we have skills,” said Olivia Colbert.
Playing basketball develops skills the players are able to use in other areas of their lives. They learned tolerance, “We can’t jump in ref’s face when he doesn’t make the call when someone hits you,” said one player.
“Working together, if we not all working together we will be confusing, everyone doing their own thing then end up losing the shot,” said Jessica. “We learn to deal with different people,” said eighth grader Victoria Renna.
His players describe Coach Mariner as committed and funny. They called him “mean,” or strict. He takes the team to high school and college basketball games. When it’s time to practice he doesn’t want to see players fooling around. Coach Mariner has been coaching for over 20 years and is the Dean of Students at Middle School 61 in Brooklyn, New York.
The love of basketball is what keeps the Cougars on the court and overcoming challenges. They don’t see the lack that adults see. The only thing the players want is to play basketball as much as possible.
