COVID-19 and Morningside Basketball

When the Coronavirus outbreak shut down sports at all levels, including the NAIA men’s National Basketball Tournament, there were many questions about how schools would approach the upcoming offseason, and more importantly the 2020-2021 season. 

The offseason looked different than the years in the past. The Morningside players have had to adjust to changes on and off the court because of the coronavirus. 

For Jim Sykes, Morningside’s head basketball coach, the offseason was different, but it was good to have a bit of normal. “It has been great to be able to see the guys back on campus this year after our heart-breaking finish last year. As of this coming season, I think it is possible to play as long as we all continue to make the right decisions. Ultimately, it’s up to the NAIA to decide how our season will play out,” said coach Sykes.

“Obviously, a huge difference for me is wearing masks in the weight room, that is a huge difference right there. Also, we didn’t do as much live stuff during workouts, and it was harder for me to get shots up because everything was shut down,” says sophomore basketball player Zach Martinek.

Morningside College and the NAIA are planning on starting their basketball season on time, while following COVID testing policies and protocols. Morningside players will be excited to play a “normal-ish” season. 

Sophomore Jacob Fierst said, “I think this season is for sure going to be a bit different, but at the end of the day we are still playing basketball, and that’s what we all want to do.” 

Freshman Aidan Vanderloo adds, “I am just excited to play after this long wait. I can see the motivation in the returners eyes to make a big splash this season, with everything they went through last year, I can tell they really want it.”

A big reason for Morningside basketball’s success is the many senior leaders who are there to  fall back on when times get tough. One of those leaders is senior Zach Imig, who has helped the team win three straight conference championships. 

He says that the basketball team has always had players willing to step into a leadership role, and with the changes this year, it is more important than ever. “The other seniors and I have talked a lot this year about stepping into a leadership role and showing the other players how much this season means to us. We hated how last year ended, and we really want to win it all this year for the seniors who graduated last year,” says Imig. 

Senior Trey Brown also added, “We all have talked to Coach about being better leaders this year, and just overall, proving that we still are the best team in the nation.”

Coach Sykes knows that there are always good things and bad things in new situations, but as long as the players have each other to fall back on, they should succeed. “This season more than ever is very important for our guys. Not just the basketball side though, we as coaches try to prepare our guys for the real world after college. This season is going to be way different than what we are used to, but learning how to take on challenges headfirst, together, is a huge life lesson I hope myself as a coach can teach our players,” says Jim Sykes.