One day at a time is how the Asbury Lady Eagles basketball team is handling this COVID-19 season.
Seniors Autumn Herriford and Sarah King said the uncertainty surrounding this season has motivated them in different ways.
“At the beginning of this semester, it was hard to find the motivation to push myself and compete,” said Osborne. “The fact of not knowing if we will go home tomorrow or even have a season was prevalent in my mind. As I got back on campus and reunited with my team, it was easier to start up that competitive drive of finishing what we started last season.”
As last dance begins for these seniors, they want to have a say in how their time as a player ends.
“I feel as though this situation has increased my competitiveness,” said King. “It has increased my willingness to work hard. You just never know when they might close the doors. At this point in time, we are competing on a day to day basis. This is even more pressing because I am a senior.”
As is the case with all other teams, women’s basketball players have to monitor their COVID-19 symptoms through the Healthy Roster app. Temperature, symptom evaluations, date, birthdate and signatures are needed to complete the form, which is required before every practice and game.
There have already been several schedule changes.
“At the end of the day, corona is just another obstacle,” said King. “As an athlete that’s what we do everyday, we assess our obstacles and we attack, head first, all or nothing, with everything we have, believing that everything we’ve learned will pay off in that moment. This is no different. I believe this is a unique opportunity to grow closer as a team and as individuals.”
Last season, the team went 20-11 overall and 7-8 in conference play. They fell to Rio Grande in the River States Conference quarterfinals. These ladies plan for a different end to their season.
“The rest of the conference should be scared if we have a season because Asbury’s taking home the rings this year,” Herriford said.
