Meet the team event for Petersburg High School winter sports including basketball
Monday night at the high school gym was a meet the team night for the parents of the cheerleaders and boys basketball players from the middle schoolers and the high schoolers.
It was a way to meet everyone in the programs, the future generation of student- athletes at Petersburg High School. But it was marked the beginning of new things to help enhance a game experience.
"As I stand here, I'm most excited about the fact we have a new sound system in this gymnasium... and we have a brand new gymnasium floor," said Superintendent Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin.
These modifications were completed over the summer. The last time a floor was installed was 1974, the year Moses Malone graduated from PHS. With a new floor and the smell of polish, it was time to introduce the athletes.
Vernon Johns Middle School boys basketball was first, followed by the junior varsity cheerleaders, junior varsity basketball, varsity cheerleaders and finally boys varsity. After each introduction, the parents were recognized.
"For the parents who's keeping them on track, keeping their grades in mind, have gone to PTA meetings and just being community people," said Boys Varsity Assistant Coach, Rev. Robert Hill.
Cheerleaders took their place on the baseline and cheered on the different levels of basketball players. Each playing a game of eight or ten minutes depending on the grade and did they have fun.
Middle schoolers were coming out of no where blocking easy layups. Varsity was enjoying soaring high trying to dunk with some being more successful than others. Their season starts on Saturday and it can be one of the last times they get to play together, just for fun and play around taking turns on who is gonna make the dunk or alley oop next.
It was a night of fun and recognition and communicating to parents their value in the program and lanes of communication are open. Also telling them, in March if their child wants to get to the next level, to come to all events.
Girls basketball plays Armstrong Tuesday night then Thomas Jefferson on Thursday.
Boys JV plays Thomas Jefferson on Thursday before the girls.
Boys Varsity plays Thomas Jefferson on Saturday.
Zoe Collins Rath (she/her/hers) is a sports and education reporter for the Progress-Index. For times email her at ZCollinsRath@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @zoe_jordan99.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Meet the team event for Petersburg High School winter sports
