By Amandre Sanders

Oyler’s boys basketball team is struggling this year. The reason Oyler high school basketball has been struggling, according to The Oyler Athletic Director Chris O’Brien, is because of low commitment and COVID-19. 

“COVID has made things difficult to get into practices and transportation for the players,” O’Brien said. This makes it difficult to know how many players are committed to the basketball team.

“We need leaders to step up and start convincing other players to join the team.”

They do have enough players to have a dominant team. O’Brien said, “We have at most 17 players and most of those players are dominant players. We just need players to consistently show up and want to be a part of the team.”

O’Brien also said they are very good skill wise.

“I do think that there are a wide range of skilled players. I think that there are a lot of high level skills when it comes to basketball, we have some that are emerging that are going to be dominant as well such as yourself,” O’Brien said.

“So, when it comes to skill-wise, I think we are as good as any other team if not better.”

O’Brien then said, “well, as a coach we have to commit to the players and keep practicing to make them better.”

“They [the players] just have to commit as well. We have to make sure that they have food before games, make sure their basketball gear is ready and the district has helped out a lot with that.”

O’Brien explained why the pandemic has affected the team. First, there are a lot more protocols to follow.

“Sanitizing all the equipment is a big part of keeping everyone safe and healthy,” O’Brien said, “and this is something that is going to affect day-to-day practice. Like busses – you’re not going to be sitting with the same people on the bus you’re going to be spread out.”

“Benches as well – the benches are going to be spread out as well.”

O’Brien has high hopes that new coaches can help improve the team. Adam Lazar is the boys’ head coach. And Coach Swisher is the girls high school team’s coach.

When asked about players that stand out to him, O’Brien said, “all of the players stand out but key players such as Elijah, Izaiah, and yourself are going to play a big role in varsity basketball.”     

The Madhatters’ first game of varsity basketball would be on Nov. 27. They will be going against North College Hill.