Once a semester is marked to be the “best day ever!” In just one week our athletes will go against Mundelein’s ELS athletes in a competitive game of basketball. Warren and Mundelein for years now have been having an annual basketball game with each school’s special education department. The 2022-23 school year was the first game back post Covid-19. Last year our team had a 1-1 record. We had a tough one point loss at our first semester away game, but with the help of our blue devil spirit we had a great homecourt win. The athletes were ready for their redemption. Continuing with the same game-win energy into the new year, the athletes have spent every Friday refreshing their basketball skills. Whether it’s doing bounce or chest passes, dribbling up and down the court, or sinking in shots. They’ve also done mini scrimmages to get themselves accustomed back to game speed and build up their team chemistry. This year is a relatively young team with a bunch of new players, but it should be a great game with all of our new potential.
The week leading up to the “best day ever” has been so exciting. The players have picked out their jerseys and have gotten to scrimmage with them on to get a real feel of the game. Mundelein likes to do a halftime show where students and athletes get to do dances like the cupid shuffle and the wobble. So in preparation we spent a class period freshening up our line dancing moves.
I’ve asked a couple of our athletes some questions about their excitement and preparation for the day.
Arshaan Khan (Sophomore) said “I’m excited for the dance and basketball game” and his pre-game practice is “shooting basketballs in the hoop”.
For SaNiah McClain (Senior), it’s especially an awesome day for her, she said “It’s my birthday that day, and hopefully we celebrate with a game win!”
The ELS athletes get the full experience. If some students don’t want to participate in the game itself they’re given the opportunity to be cheerleaders on the sideline. They even get to wear cheer uniforms along with holding blue and gold pom poms. To get some insight from both sides of the court, I interviewed one of our cheerleaders about what they’re most looking forward to.
Giada Rasumussen (Sophomore) said “I’m excited to root for Anna and SaNiah”.
