The COVID pandemic shut down the world for about one month. Morningside experienced a heart-breaking act when they had to cancel their chance of winning a national tournament. The main question that I asked was, “How did this affect your team emotionally?” Morningside Basketball head coach, Jim Sykes, was choked up while talking about the COVID incident at the national tournament.
“It was so hard to see these guys who put their excessive time into getting better, and like that it was taken away which was the worst feeling in the world. I have been coaching this senior class, for four years and created a strong bond with them so it struck a strong nerve to see them all in tears,” Coach Sykes.
Morningside basketball team was just done winning their first game in the national tournament. The Morningside Mustangs ranked number one in the tournament had a cake walk of a game against the college of the Ozarks. I asked senior leader Tyler Borchers what he felt was the possibility for the national tournament.
“I feel we had a great chance of becoming national champs this year. Nobody was as close nit as team we were and the amount of time, we put into the gym, it would’ve been just right to see all my brothers successful,” said Tyler Borchers
Tyler Borchers had one excellent career at Morningside. Finishing the season with third all-time scoring and leader in rebounds. He was a beast and able to show his dominance in every game this season. The first game of the tournament had an impressive 20-point game and carried the Mustangs to an easy victory. I also asked him what his feeling was when he got the call that tournament was cancelled.
“Sykes walked around watching us shoot. He was pacing on his phone all morning. We just finished practice and it was about time to get shots up and shoot free throws. At that moment he called us in and read us an email out loud from the national tournament committee. At this moment I fell to the ground unable to stand in complete disbelief,” said Tyler Borchers.
Tyler Borchers was one of the six seniors who had a very good resume as Morningside Mustangs. Three-time GPAC champions and wanted to add a national tournament to the resume. I asked Matt what he felt was the hardest part to see them call the tournament in that fashion?
“I was in utter disbelief. I have never experienced heartbreak before, but this is what that had to feel like. I couldn’t process anything at the moment, but wanted to express my gratitude towards the seniors, coaches, and the younger guys who will continue the one goal tradition,” said Matt Hahn.
Matt was the main leader who was the guy to go shut down the other team’s best player. His main focus was on defense and took it personal that led our team to be dawgs on defense. He was also a guy who continually add time in the gym and couldn’t believe the way the season just ended.
The emotion through the players was something the team was unable to talk about an explain based off of how wild the feeling was. The COVID pandemic is still going on right now and is switching up the season this year. This is causing some serious problems in all sports and is causing some sports functions to be shut down. The mustangs are back into the gym practicing and are gearing up for the upcoming season. They are ready for revengence and making a statement for those whose chances of being champions were taken away in terrible fashion.