Horoscope for the rest of winter
By: Madison Legg
NORTHRIDGE - If you are wondering why your life is going the way it is right now, read your horoscope below to find some answers!
Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18)- They love juice. Like grape juice. Apple juice. Orange juice. Just any kind of juice.
Pisces (Feb. 19- March 20)- They are always classy and never trashy. They are always wearing their nice clothes and have a peppy attitude and will never let you down.
Aries (March 21- April 19)- They have a very short fuse, but the good thing is they only need about 30 seconds to reset and act as if nothing ever happened. They will not let you face your problems alone, unless they have the option to go for coffee - then they always choose coffee.
Taurus (April 20- May 20)- They are fun and jolly people and always looking to make someone laugh, especially on Tuesdays. They will know how to kill with kindness, but don't be fooled - they still don't like anybody.
Gemini (May 21- June 20)- They have a bad fear of being too awesome, and they they are afraid they might die! They also love slipping on the ice and spilling things on themselves because, honestly, what's better than that?
Cancer (June 21- July 20)- They have two sides. The first side is crazy outgoing and just a thrill to be around. The other is just a complete bum that wants nothing more than to eat a gallon of ice cream and watch action movies.
Leo (July 23- August 22) -They have a weird imagination and often think they are being watched by the FBI or an ex. You are very understanding to other peoples feeling for some reason - what a sap.
Virgo (August 23- September 22)- They make mistakes more and more every week, but it’s okay because they are no chickens and they like to put it all out there.
Libra (September 23- October 22)- They are very optimistic and have the best luck, and that's why people don't like them ... because they envy all their luck. They eat way too much, but it's good because they don't care what other people think.
Scorpio (October 23- November 21)- They are the popular people that always have their hair done and the nicest clothes. You should get on their level because DANG they are cool!
Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)- They are not hard to please, all you have to do is some crazy stuff to get on their nerves are you are golden.
Capricorn (December 22- January 19)- They don't take advice well. They are moody and never on time! They have no sense of fashion but love historical greatness!
- Madison Legg (’19) is a co-entertainment editor of the Viking Vault. 19slegg@northridgevikings.org
By: Madison Legg
NORTHRIDGE - If you are wondering why your life is going the way it is right now, read your horoscope below to find some answers!
Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18)- They love juice. Like grape juice. Apple juice. Orange juice. Just any kind of juice.
Pisces (Feb. 19- March 20)- They are always classy and never trashy. They are always wearing their nice clothes and have a peppy attitude and will never let you down.
Aries (March 21- April 19)- They have a very short fuse, but the good thing is they only need about 30 seconds to reset and act as if nothing ever happened. They will not let you face your problems alone, unless they have the option to go for coffee - then they always choose coffee.
Taurus (April 20- May 20)- They are fun and jolly people and always looking to make someone laugh, especially on Tuesdays. They will know how to kill with kindness, but don't be fooled - they still don't like anybody.
Gemini (May 21- June 20)- They have a bad fear of being too awesome, and they they are afraid they might die! They also love slipping on the ice and spilling things on themselves because, honestly, what's better than that?
Cancer (June 21- July 20)- They have two sides. The first side is crazy outgoing and just a thrill to be around. The other is just a complete bum that wants nothing more than to eat a gallon of ice cream and watch action movies.
Leo (July 23- August 22) -They have a weird imagination and often think they are being watched by the FBI or an ex. You are very understanding to other peoples feeling for some reason - what a sap.
Virgo (August 23- September 22)- They make mistakes more and more every week, but it’s okay because they are no chickens and they like to put it all out there.
Libra (September 23- October 22)- They are very optimistic and have the best luck, and that's why people don't like them ... because they envy all their luck. They eat way too much, but it's good because they don't care what other people think.
Scorpio (October 23- November 21)- They are the popular people that always have their hair done and the nicest clothes. You should get on their level because DANG they are cool!
Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)- They are not hard to please, all you have to do is some crazy stuff to get on their nerves are you are golden.
Capricorn (December 22- January 19)- They don't take advice well. They are moody and never on time! They have no sense of fashion but love historical greatness!
- Madison Legg (’19) is a co-entertainment editor of the Viking Vault. 19slegg@northridgevikings.org
Wrestlers ask for N-Unit support at LCLs
By: Shelby Yorde
NORTHRIDGE - The LCL meet is coming up Feb. 16 at Watkins Memorial High School beginning at 10 a.m., and wrestlers say they are eager for some Viking crowd support. “We would love to see more people at our meets,” says Zach George (‘20). “Especially the ones that are close to home.”
This winter’s wrestling team includes: Anden Dowdy (‘22), Chad Bailey (‘21), Clay Reeves (‘19), Kobey Nichols (‘20), and George (‘19).
Unfortunately, the biggest tournament of their season, Maumee Bay, was canceled. However, the season has still had its successful moments. For instance, Nichols got second place at the West Virginia tournament. The team has many other of their players placing high in tournaments
Something everyone talks about with wrestling are the practices and eating habits of the team. Their practices consist of 20 minutes of running, and that’s followed by practice for an hour in the heat. Nichols says, “You can usually see the steam coming off of people.”
Weight classes are very important to wrestlers like Nichols; however there are some wrestlers like George who just go with the flow and stick with their designated weight class. That is what determines attempts at dropping weight. Even though it was canceled, Nichols was trying to lose 10 pounds for the Maumee Bay Tournament. He had to cut water a day and half before along with no food for two days! People may ask how they have the energy for the matches after such a grueling diet. The answer is, right after they weigh in and hopefully, meet their goal, they eat as much as they can and drink a lot of water.
When asked, Nichols says he feels the team doesn’t really get enough support. “I kind of understand though; I mean it’s a long day and it’s pretty much an individual sport,” he acknowledges.
George says he agrees with the fact that they don’t get the support they wish they had from fellow students, but he asserts there’s still an important aspect of “team” to their sport. He says, “Without your teammates, you wouldn’t get any better. It’s like football - everyone is doing their own thing: the running back is running the ball and the linemen are blocking, but it’s still a team sport.”
Nichols says, “This sport is very competitive, and it makes you feel stronger mentally. In order to wrestle you have to have a certain amount of mental toughness that not everyone has; I don’t know what I would do without it.” Like any sport, competitions are the best part, he says. “They’re worth watching.”
- Shelby Yorde (‘20) is a junior print editor for the Viking Vault. 20syorde@northridgevikings.
By: Shelby Yorde
NORTHRIDGE - The LCL meet is coming up Feb. 16 at Watkins Memorial High School beginning at 10 a.m., and wrestlers say they are eager for some Viking crowd support. “We would love to see more people at our meets,” says Zach George (‘20). “Especially the ones that are close to home.”
This winter’s wrestling team includes: Anden Dowdy (‘22), Chad Bailey (‘21), Clay Reeves (‘19), Kobey Nichols (‘20), and George (‘19).
Unfortunately, the biggest tournament of their season, Maumee Bay, was canceled. However, the season has still had its successful moments. For instance, Nichols got second place at the West Virginia tournament. The team has many other of their players placing high in tournaments
Something everyone talks about with wrestling are the practices and eating habits of the team. Their practices consist of 20 minutes of running, and that’s followed by practice for an hour in the heat. Nichols says, “You can usually see the steam coming off of people.”
Weight classes are very important to wrestlers like Nichols; however there are some wrestlers like George who just go with the flow and stick with their designated weight class. That is what determines attempts at dropping weight. Even though it was canceled, Nichols was trying to lose 10 pounds for the Maumee Bay Tournament. He had to cut water a day and half before along with no food for two days! People may ask how they have the energy for the matches after such a grueling diet. The answer is, right after they weigh in and hopefully, meet their goal, they eat as much as they can and drink a lot of water.
When asked, Nichols says he feels the team doesn’t really get enough support. “I kind of understand though; I mean it’s a long day and it’s pretty much an individual sport,” he acknowledges.
George says he agrees with the fact that they don’t get the support they wish they had from fellow students, but he asserts there’s still an important aspect of “team” to their sport. He says, “Without your teammates, you wouldn’t get any better. It’s like football - everyone is doing their own thing: the running back is running the ball and the linemen are blocking, but it’s still a team sport.”
Nichols says, “This sport is very competitive, and it makes you feel stronger mentally. In order to wrestle you have to have a certain amount of mental toughness that not everyone has; I don’t know what I would do without it.” Like any sport, competitions are the best part, he says. “They’re worth watching.”
- Shelby Yorde (‘20) is a junior print editor for the Viking Vault. 20syorde@northridgevikings.
Locker rooms: expectations vs. reality
By: Lyndsey Stocks
NORTHRIDGE - Locker rooms provide an interesting twist to sports. Many people have thoughts on what they believe goes on inside these locker rooms, while others have experienced it for themselves. What your experiences will be like can also depend on whether you are in the guy’s locker room or the girl’s locker room.
Some movies portray guy’s locker rooms as loud and obnoxious, where none of the players are actually focused on sports at all. As an incoming freshman last summer, Nicolas Minder (‘22) explains his initial expectations about locker rooms coming: “I didn’t know much about them,” Minder said. “I only knew about what the movies said.”
When asked how guys actually act in the locker room during football season, Minder (‘22) says “On game days, they are serious and focused. On practice days, you can mess around until the coaches come in.”
Athletes spend countless hours throughout their career in locker rooms. For football and basketball, players spend time in there getting ready before the game, during pregame talks from the coaches, and during halftime. More time gets spent in locker rooms as players get older, especially if they go collegiate and/or play professionally.
The high school locker room experience can also have differences compared to athletes who are in middle school. When asked if there are any big differences, Minder (‘22) says “In high school, you can actually discuss stuff instead of just messing around.” The discussions within the locker room also start to change as athletes start to get older and have different problems.
The locker room can also come with a different experience depending on whether you are coming in as a new freshman or a returning senior. Athletes usually act differently depending on the outcome of the game, whether they are coming off an exciting win or saddened after suffering a disappointing loss. Matthew Parrill (‘20) explains,“The locker room is different depending on whether we win or lose. If we win, we act crazy and we are excited. When we lose, there is screaming and yelling and the coaches are super mad.”
When asked about differences of locker rooms between sports, Jessica Koehler (‘19) explains,“One of the things that changes the most is the atmosphere… like the different people, sometimes there aren’t as may so it’s much quieter.” In a high school sport like track, there are a lot of girls in the locker room changing and getting ready for practice. In a sport like basketball, there are not as many girls trying to get ready before practice.
Minder (‘22) adds “In football, we are in the locker room a lot more. In basketball, you get dressed and ready to play and then you are out.”
You can never know what exactly to expect when entering locker rooms. Though, lots of high school athletes will tell you that these locker rooms are not how they appear on the TV and in movies. The experiences can be completely different whether you are a high school or college athlete, a guy or a girl, and what sports you play in.
By: Lyndsey Stocks
NORTHRIDGE - Locker rooms provide an interesting twist to sports. Many people have thoughts on what they believe goes on inside these locker rooms, while others have experienced it for themselves. What your experiences will be like can also depend on whether you are in the guy’s locker room or the girl’s locker room.
Some movies portray guy’s locker rooms as loud and obnoxious, where none of the players are actually focused on sports at all. As an incoming freshman last summer, Nicolas Minder (‘22) explains his initial expectations about locker rooms coming: “I didn’t know much about them,” Minder said. “I only knew about what the movies said.”
When asked how guys actually act in the locker room during football season, Minder (‘22) says “On game days, they are serious and focused. On practice days, you can mess around until the coaches come in.”
Athletes spend countless hours throughout their career in locker rooms. For football and basketball, players spend time in there getting ready before the game, during pregame talks from the coaches, and during halftime. More time gets spent in locker rooms as players get older, especially if they go collegiate and/or play professionally.
The high school locker room experience can also have differences compared to athletes who are in middle school. When asked if there are any big differences, Minder (‘22) says “In high school, you can actually discuss stuff instead of just messing around.” The discussions within the locker room also start to change as athletes start to get older and have different problems.
The locker room can also come with a different experience depending on whether you are coming in as a new freshman or a returning senior. Athletes usually act differently depending on the outcome of the game, whether they are coming off an exciting win or saddened after suffering a disappointing loss. Matthew Parrill (‘20) explains,“The locker room is different depending on whether we win or lose. If we win, we act crazy and we are excited. When we lose, there is screaming and yelling and the coaches are super mad.”
When asked about differences of locker rooms between sports, Jessica Koehler (‘19) explains,“One of the things that changes the most is the atmosphere… like the different people, sometimes there aren’t as may so it’s much quieter.” In a high school sport like track, there are a lot of girls in the locker room changing and getting ready for practice. In a sport like basketball, there are not as many girls trying to get ready before practice.
Minder (‘22) adds “In football, we are in the locker room a lot more. In basketball, you get dressed and ready to play and then you are out.”
You can never know what exactly to expect when entering locker rooms. Though, lots of high school athletes will tell you that these locker rooms are not how they appear on the TV and in movies. The experiences can be completely different whether you are a high school or college athlete, a guy or a girl, and what sports you play in.
NORTHRIDGE ALUM: BRAD WILSON GOES PRO
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE - Viking Alumnus Brad Wilson (‘15) was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays last June and hopes to make the community proud of his future success.
Wilson was picked in the 13th round of the MLB draft by the Blue Jays on June 6th. Wilson played all four seasons of his high school career on the varsity baseball team. Wilson graduated in 2015, and he went on to play at Ohio Dominican University for three seasons. Wilson helped lead the baseball team to a regional finals when he was a sophomore.
When Wilson was asked how he felt on the day he was drafted he said, “I truly felt incredibly blessed and honored. I can’t thank the organization enough for giving me a chance to live out my dream everyday for as long as I can.”
Wilson spent the final part of last season in rookie league, in the Blue Jays’ farm system, after being drafted. There he posts 27 innings pitched with a 1.63 earned run average. When asked about his future with the Blue Jays, he said, “[the Blue Jays] have told me that they believe I have a bright future as long as I continue to work as hard as they know I can and continue what I do best!”
Wilson goes on to say, “My life has done a complete 180 since I got drafted. I’ve had such an amazing time going through the process, and it wouldn’t have been possible without all my friends and family, who push me every single day to be the best person I can be.”
Wilson says that the Blue Jays organization and players have welcomed him with open arms. “I have been working out with some of the players already. Justin Childers who plays for the Detroit Tigers, and Joey Murray who also plays in Blue Jays organization. I also had the pleasure to workout with Marcus Stroman!” Stroman is currently playing for the Blue Jays and is a pitcher in their starting rotation.
Wilson stated, “The Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals were all in contact me around the time of the draft. They all showed some sort of interest in me, but I just feel blessed at where I’m at right now with the Blue Jays.”
Wilson said that he would like to thank Northridge for everything. “Coach Wilson and all the administration helped me push my abilities everyday to help me realize my potential in my recruiting process.”
Wilson played all four years of his high school careers under Coach Jeffery Wilson. Wilson stated, “[Brad] Wilson was a hard worker and it was easy to tell from a young age that he would go on to do great things. I don’t think it was a surprise to any of the coaches of his current success and we are all very proud of him.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE - Viking Alumnus Brad Wilson (‘15) was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays last June and hopes to make the community proud of his future success.
Wilson was picked in the 13th round of the MLB draft by the Blue Jays on June 6th. Wilson played all four seasons of his high school career on the varsity baseball team. Wilson graduated in 2015, and he went on to play at Ohio Dominican University for three seasons. Wilson helped lead the baseball team to a regional finals when he was a sophomore.
When Wilson was asked how he felt on the day he was drafted he said, “I truly felt incredibly blessed and honored. I can’t thank the organization enough for giving me a chance to live out my dream everyday for as long as I can.”
Wilson spent the final part of last season in rookie league, in the Blue Jays’ farm system, after being drafted. There he posts 27 innings pitched with a 1.63 earned run average. When asked about his future with the Blue Jays, he said, “[the Blue Jays] have told me that they believe I have a bright future as long as I continue to work as hard as they know I can and continue what I do best!”
Wilson goes on to say, “My life has done a complete 180 since I got drafted. I’ve had such an amazing time going through the process, and it wouldn’t have been possible without all my friends and family, who push me every single day to be the best person I can be.”
Wilson says that the Blue Jays organization and players have welcomed him with open arms. “I have been working out with some of the players already. Justin Childers who plays for the Detroit Tigers, and Joey Murray who also plays in Blue Jays organization. I also had the pleasure to workout with Marcus Stroman!” Stroman is currently playing for the Blue Jays and is a pitcher in their starting rotation.
Wilson stated, “The Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals were all in contact me around the time of the draft. They all showed some sort of interest in me, but I just feel blessed at where I’m at right now with the Blue Jays.”
Wilson said that he would like to thank Northridge for everything. “Coach Wilson and all the administration helped me push my abilities everyday to help me realize my potential in my recruiting process.”
Wilson played all four years of his high school careers under Coach Jeffery Wilson. Wilson stated, “[Brad] Wilson was a hard worker and it was easy to tell from a young age that he would go on to do great things. I don’t think it was a surprise to any of the coaches of his current success and we are all very proud of him.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Boys basketball mid-season update
By: Cole Fox
NORTHRIDGE - We are midway through winter basketball, and this season has been a roller coaster ride. With three more league games before tournaments (at press time), the boys sit currently at 3rd in the Cardinal Division (7-11)(5-6).
The Vikings have had lots of highs and lows this season, which has contributed to the roller coaster of a season.
Just recently Jackson Wilson (‘19) broke the All-time record for most three-pointers made in a career. The record was previously held by Nick Hatten (‘18). Wilson said, “It was a really fun experience to see all of my hard work from the past four years pay off, especially since I've been playing since I was little.”
In the boys game against Riverview, the record for total blocks in a season was broken by Trevor Kitchen (‘19), which was previously held by Daniel Hatfield (‘17). In addition to the three-point record and the blocks in a season, we’ve had a recent battle between Wilson and Kitchen (‘19) for the most blocks in a game, which is currently held by Hatfield (‘17). Kitchen (‘19) says, “It’s really cool to be able to break a record set by someone as good as Daniel Hatfield.”
Still, this season hasn’t quite gone the way the Vikes would have liked. Travis Neumeyer (‘20) stated, “This season hasn’t gone how we had hoped but it’s not a terrible season. We still are third in the league, and the tournament is right around the corner.” Neumeyer added, “If we want to win out the remainder of our games, we have to play more as a team and help each other out.”
The varsity team consisted of five seniors: Kody Everts, Jackson Wilson, Samuel Tucker, Carter Comisford, and Trevor Kitchen. Together these five have played a ton of basketball over the years, and the underclassmen who help contribute to varsity are much appreciated, according to younger players.
Everts (‘19) is playing in the final season and said, “This being my first year fully on varsity has been great. Being able to have that chance to step up and make big plays is an awesome feeling you just can’t get from anything else.” Everts added, “I hope to use my energy to boost the team every game and into the tournament and make it far.”
Most of the seniors have been playing together since the youth league, and many of them have the same feelings about this season. Kitchen (‘19) says, “This season is special to me because it’s the last sport I will ever play. I’ve been playing sports since I can remember.”
Wilson reflected about tournaments, “We aren’t going to get a very high seed, so we’re gonna have to go out and give it all we have and hopefully pull off some upsets.” Wilson also stated, “Senior year has been really fun, and I think this program is headed in a good direction. My advice is don't waste your shot.”
- Cole Fox (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault
By: Cole Fox
NORTHRIDGE - We are midway through winter basketball, and this season has been a roller coaster ride. With three more league games before tournaments (at press time), the boys sit currently at 3rd in the Cardinal Division (7-11)(5-6).
The Vikings have had lots of highs and lows this season, which has contributed to the roller coaster of a season.
Just recently Jackson Wilson (‘19) broke the All-time record for most three-pointers made in a career. The record was previously held by Nick Hatten (‘18). Wilson said, “It was a really fun experience to see all of my hard work from the past four years pay off, especially since I've been playing since I was little.”
In the boys game against Riverview, the record for total blocks in a season was broken by Trevor Kitchen (‘19), which was previously held by Daniel Hatfield (‘17). In addition to the three-point record and the blocks in a season, we’ve had a recent battle between Wilson and Kitchen (‘19) for the most blocks in a game, which is currently held by Hatfield (‘17). Kitchen (‘19) says, “It’s really cool to be able to break a record set by someone as good as Daniel Hatfield.”
Still, this season hasn’t quite gone the way the Vikes would have liked. Travis Neumeyer (‘20) stated, “This season hasn’t gone how we had hoped but it’s not a terrible season. We still are third in the league, and the tournament is right around the corner.” Neumeyer added, “If we want to win out the remainder of our games, we have to play more as a team and help each other out.”
The varsity team consisted of five seniors: Kody Everts, Jackson Wilson, Samuel Tucker, Carter Comisford, and Trevor Kitchen. Together these five have played a ton of basketball over the years, and the underclassmen who help contribute to varsity are much appreciated, according to younger players.
Everts (‘19) is playing in the final season and said, “This being my first year fully on varsity has been great. Being able to have that chance to step up and make big plays is an awesome feeling you just can’t get from anything else.” Everts added, “I hope to use my energy to boost the team every game and into the tournament and make it far.”
Most of the seniors have been playing together since the youth league, and many of them have the same feelings about this season. Kitchen (‘19) says, “This season is special to me because it’s the last sport I will ever play. I’ve been playing sports since I can remember.”
Wilson reflected about tournaments, “We aren’t going to get a very high seed, so we’re gonna have to go out and give it all we have and hopefully pull off some upsets.” Wilson also stated, “Senior year has been really fun, and I think this program is headed in a good direction. My advice is don't waste your shot.”
- Cole Fox (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault
2018-19 GIRLS BASKETBALL
By: Alyson Quinlan
NORTHRIDGE - Anyone who follows Northridge Varsity Girls Basketball knows that this year's record hasn't turned out quite the way they had expected, with a Varsity record of three wins and 12 losses (as of deadline time), with a few more games to come.
The Viking Junior Varsity girls, on the other hand, had a pretty successful season this year, with a record of 13 wins and four losses (so far).
But records and stats don't tell you the whole story. Yes, you get to see the team’s wins and losses, rebounds, shots made, and maybe some more information than that. What you don't get to see is the team's hard work during practices or the team dynamic/bond the girls have gained from playing together.
Practices for these players often differ depending on the preparation they need for the team they are playing next. Since late fall, they would often practice six days a week, going over those specific things they would need for the game to come. While focusing on those things, they would also mix in high-intensity drills combined with shooting drills. Then, at the very end of their practice, they would apply these things they just practiced and both teams, JV and Varsity, would scrimmage each other.
So that is what we’re exploring here: the part of the girls’ season you can't learn by looking at the stats. The hard work that they put into their practices, the relationships they made, as well as the memories they have made together.
So Varsity player Rebekah Kalas ('20) said her favorite part about this basketball season was: "We find out how to have fun while playing in any game." She went more in-depth describing her teammates as "goofy and outgoing," as well as saying "there is never a dull moment" when with them. She explained that "the record isn't where we'd like it to be, but there isn't a single game that we gave up before the end of the 4th quarter."
Four-year Varsity player Olivia Humes('19) reflected, "We've had our ups and downs this season, but one of the best things is that we never give up on each other and we always stick together." She also explains that, “We obviously haven't won all the games we've wanted to, but I wouldn't want to be playing with any other group of girls."
JV player Alexis Adams ('20) says her favorite part of the season is the pride she feels in her team because they have "come a long way" and they are pretty happy with how their season has gone so far.
But seasons also bring people great memories that some will never forget: funny moments, amazing wins, or new relationships gained, such as a collective favorite memory when Varsity had beaten Delaware Christian with a score of 64-40 or JV beating Newark Catholic’s team, which had been a goal this year.
So yes, while Northridge Girls Basketball haven't acquired the best record for their season, the story of this season goes much deeper than those numbers.
- Alyson Quinlan ('20) Assistant Print Editor of the Viking Vault
By: Alyson Quinlan
NORTHRIDGE - Anyone who follows Northridge Varsity Girls Basketball knows that this year's record hasn't turned out quite the way they had expected, with a Varsity record of three wins and 12 losses (as of deadline time), with a few more games to come.
The Viking Junior Varsity girls, on the other hand, had a pretty successful season this year, with a record of 13 wins and four losses (so far).
But records and stats don't tell you the whole story. Yes, you get to see the team’s wins and losses, rebounds, shots made, and maybe some more information than that. What you don't get to see is the team's hard work during practices or the team dynamic/bond the girls have gained from playing together.
Practices for these players often differ depending on the preparation they need for the team they are playing next. Since late fall, they would often practice six days a week, going over those specific things they would need for the game to come. While focusing on those things, they would also mix in high-intensity drills combined with shooting drills. Then, at the very end of their practice, they would apply these things they just practiced and both teams, JV and Varsity, would scrimmage each other.
So that is what we’re exploring here: the part of the girls’ season you can't learn by looking at the stats. The hard work that they put into their practices, the relationships they made, as well as the memories they have made together.
So Varsity player Rebekah Kalas ('20) said her favorite part about this basketball season was: "We find out how to have fun while playing in any game." She went more in-depth describing her teammates as "goofy and outgoing," as well as saying "there is never a dull moment" when with them. She explained that "the record isn't where we'd like it to be, but there isn't a single game that we gave up before the end of the 4th quarter."
Four-year Varsity player Olivia Humes('19) reflected, "We've had our ups and downs this season, but one of the best things is that we never give up on each other and we always stick together." She also explains that, “We obviously haven't won all the games we've wanted to, but I wouldn't want to be playing with any other group of girls."
JV player Alexis Adams ('20) says her favorite part of the season is the pride she feels in her team because they have "come a long way" and they are pretty happy with how their season has gone so far.
But seasons also bring people great memories that some will never forget: funny moments, amazing wins, or new relationships gained, such as a collective favorite memory when Varsity had beaten Delaware Christian with a score of 64-40 or JV beating Newark Catholic’s team, which had been a goal this year.
So yes, while Northridge Girls Basketball haven't acquired the best record for their season, the story of this season goes much deeper than those numbers.
- Alyson Quinlan ('20) Assistant Print Editor of the Viking Vault
Ski Club Update
By: Anna Kohler
NORTHRIDGE - The Ski Club is still hitting the slopes, and has been for around four weeks. A lot of the Northridge High School and Middle School students participating in this club have been enjoying it. This club isn’t competitive but is a challenge and offers a good time for students.
Jacob Smith (‘19) just joined the Ski Club this year and says he has had a lot of fun learning how to ski. Smith states, “I decided since it is my senior year I´m just going to do it and see how it goes. At first you fall a lot and I had no idea what I was doing, but after time you get the hang of it and it’s pretty fun.”
Ski Club can get a little difficult; constantly falling doesn't seem much fun and Smith (´19) agrees; “It actually kind of hurts when you fall and it can be frustrating but like I said before it gets easier and fun.”
There are a lot of members in the club this season, which most of them say is a great opportunity to make new friends. Dustin Chalfant (‘20) has been a member for awhile but claims, “It’s been fun this year because more of my friends are doing it with me, like Jacob, and I think we have gotten closer.”
At Snow Trails there are different levels of slopes - some are steeper than others while others are longer, and there are some that have ramps. Smith (´19) says, “ Since I learned how to actually ski, I go down all of them a few times each. That's usually what everyone else does now too.”
Not everyone is a fan of the cold and all the snow, but Ski Club members enjoy it because that means more time on the slopes. Makenna Hale (19), who has been a member since middle school says, “This year has been better because of the weather. It's been snowing and it's cold which means we get to go out more.”
More middle schoolers have joined this year and have been enjoying it, like Quetin Feloher (´23). Feloher claims, “Skiing is really fun and a lot of my friends do it so I get to spend the whole day with them. We eat food and ski all day.”
Hale (´19) claims, “There are more people in the club this year, but it´s mostly just a bunch of middle schoolers and their friends.” It’s true that the middle schoolers outnumber the high schoolers.
Chalfant (´20), Smith (´19), and Hale (´19) all encourage students to join next season. It takes up most of your Sundays, but they it's worth trying something new and making friends! The club still has the rest of February to ski every Sunday.
- Anna Kohler (‘20) is the Social Media Publicist for the Viking Vault [email protected]
By: Anna Kohler
NORTHRIDGE - The Ski Club is still hitting the slopes, and has been for around four weeks. A lot of the Northridge High School and Middle School students participating in this club have been enjoying it. This club isn’t competitive but is a challenge and offers a good time for students.
Jacob Smith (‘19) just joined the Ski Club this year and says he has had a lot of fun learning how to ski. Smith states, “I decided since it is my senior year I´m just going to do it and see how it goes. At first you fall a lot and I had no idea what I was doing, but after time you get the hang of it and it’s pretty fun.”
Ski Club can get a little difficult; constantly falling doesn't seem much fun and Smith (´19) agrees; “It actually kind of hurts when you fall and it can be frustrating but like I said before it gets easier and fun.”
There are a lot of members in the club this season, which most of them say is a great opportunity to make new friends. Dustin Chalfant (‘20) has been a member for awhile but claims, “It’s been fun this year because more of my friends are doing it with me, like Jacob, and I think we have gotten closer.”
At Snow Trails there are different levels of slopes - some are steeper than others while others are longer, and there are some that have ramps. Smith (´19) says, “ Since I learned how to actually ski, I go down all of them a few times each. That's usually what everyone else does now too.”
Not everyone is a fan of the cold and all the snow, but Ski Club members enjoy it because that means more time on the slopes. Makenna Hale (19), who has been a member since middle school says, “This year has been better because of the weather. It's been snowing and it's cold which means we get to go out more.”
More middle schoolers have joined this year and have been enjoying it, like Quetin Feloher (´23). Feloher claims, “Skiing is really fun and a lot of my friends do it so I get to spend the whole day with them. We eat food and ski all day.”
Hale (´19) claims, “There are more people in the club this year, but it´s mostly just a bunch of middle schoolers and their friends.” It’s true that the middle schoolers outnumber the high schoolers.
Chalfant (´20), Smith (´19), and Hale (´19) all encourage students to join next season. It takes up most of your Sundays, but they it's worth trying something new and making friends! The club still has the rest of February to ski every Sunday.
- Anna Kohler (‘20) is the Social Media Publicist for the Viking Vault [email protected]