The records in each summary are as of Jan. 9.
Boys Basketball
The varsity boys basketball team has played at a tournament at John Hancock High School and four games so far, earning a 2-2 record. There are 11 varsity players with three double-rostered members. Sophomore Xavier Fisher has been on varsity since ninth grade and believes the team has shown improvement throughout the season.
“I think our season got off to a bit of a tough start, but then these past two games we’ve done a really good job executing and putting together really good stretches of time or playing really well on the court. I think we’ve found our rhythm. We’ve won our past two games by 15-plus each game, so I think we’re starting to find our groove a bit,” Xavier said.
Important matches:
Maroon Madness on Jan. 23
Senior Night on Feb. 18
Girls Basketball
The girls basketball season began in early November and the team has since played eight games, holding a 1-7 record. In January, the team has seven more games and four in February. Junior Mardi Gunning, who has been on the girls basketball team since ninth grade, said team spirit is high.
“We try to have fun playing at practice, even though we’re still working a lot and running drills and practicing plays, but we do a lot of scrimmages where we can have fun with it,” Mardi said.
Important match:
Senior Night on Jan. 23
Dance
The competition dance team, which has 10 members including one who is injured, begins its season with two competitions in January, while the team continues to perform at halftime at basketball games. Senior Camila Bravo said through the late night practices and traditions the team has become much closer.
“We have little snack runs, or sometimes Savannah brings a pizza or sweet treats,” Camila said. “We have our dance tradition of locker buddies and we always do hands in, but we always put in our left hand because it’s closer to the heart.”
Important dates:
Competition at Phoenix Military Academy on Jan. 25
Competition at Ottawa High School on Feb. 7
State on Feb. 13-15
Fencing
The fencing season started in mid-November for all three of U-High’s fencing squads: foil, sabre and épée. The fencing styles are differentiated by the technique used and the parts of the body that are targeted. Foil fencers target the torso and score points using only the thrust technique. Sabre targets the upper body (waist up) and allows for both cut and thrust techniques. Finally, épée targets the entire body but only allows the thrust technique. The team has competed in 10 tournaments so far this season and will continue to compete at more before the season ends in February. The season will conclude on Jan. 31 with the team competing in the Great Lakes Championships for team awards. Ray Han, a senior who has been on the foil squad since he was a ninth grader, has noticed a different vibe to practices this year.
“The atmosphere at practice has been different this year, at least for the foil squad. We have two new freshmen this year, and it’s been fun having them around and training them,” Ray said.
Important dates:
Great Lakes Championships — Individual on Jan. 24
Great Lakes Championships — Team on Jan. 31
Boys Swimming
After three meets in December to kick off the season, the swimmers placed third, fourth and third. There is currently no diving team. In January, the team has seven meets, four of which are in the same week, and they will begin post-season competition starting with the conference meet Feb. 4. Senior Henry Lyon, who has been on the team since he was a ninth grader, has high hopes for the many upcoming meets.
“They’re all good and fun meets, and there has been a good environment in practice with some fast swimming,” Henry said.
Important dates:
Post-season begins Feb. 4
