The weather is getting colder, but the winter sport teams are just warming up for their 2016-2017 season. Many teams started preparing for their seasons by having preseason workouts before the official start date for practices, which was November 18.

The girls’ varsity and junior varsity basketball teams have been holding open gyms at least twice a week for the past few weeks in Martz Hall. Many new girls who would like to try out and many returning players attended the workouts. They had scrimmages November 26 against Allentown Central Catholic and Wilson and December 1 against Tri-Valley and Bethlehem Liberty.

“I am most excited for playing with all the girls during the season,” sophomore Alexa Cesari said. “I am least excited for all the running at tryouts. I think we will be very successful this year because we have a lot of girls coming back for this season.”

The boys’ varsity and junior varsity basketball teams have also been holding workouts. For the past two seasons, the varsity boys’ basketball team has been undefeated throughout regular season play and league and district playoffs. The boys have made state playoffs the past two years and won in the first round both years. However, their seasons have ended both times in the second round of state playoffs.

Both the coaching staff and the team are looking to be just as successful as they were in the past seasons.

“Our team has a lot of talent this year. We have a chance to be successful if we commit to all the little things that go into winning,” Mr. Dave Mullaney, head varsity basketball coach, said.

The freshman boys basketball team is preparing for its upcoming season as well. Since all of the players are freshmen, they have little to no experience playing at the high school level. However, they have set high goals for themselves.

“I’m excited [for the season] because we get to fully represent Pottsville now that we are in high school,” freshman Adam Kelly said. “I believe that this year we can go undefeated as a team goal. The goal I have for myself is to make the starting lineup.”

Basketball seems to be a favorite sport to cheer at, as well.  

“I like basketball season more because we’re inside and we get to stunt more,” Trinity Stank, sophomore cheerleader, said.

Last year, the wrestling team had many accomplishments, including several Schuylkill League champions and top finishers. 2016 graduate Luke Gardner broke the all-time wins record at the high school, finishing in the top 10 in the state tournament and committing to Penn State University to further his career. The team looks to continue this success this season.

“[We are] doing a lot of things from last year,” sophomore Michael Zawaski said. “ [Our goals are to] win the Schuylkill League and go undefeated in dual matches.”

Track is normally considered a spring sport, but track athletes start preparing for their season early by competing on the winter track team, which travels to other high schools and colleges throughout the region.

“I think it will prepare me for spring track so I can get in shape and keep myself in shape until then,” sophomore Samantha Day said. “I think it will help me with my stamina and overall athletic ability for the spring.”

Now that the pool repairs have been completed, the swimming and diving teams can also start preparing for their upcoming season. They not only do pool workouts, but they also do workouts out of the pool. There are several new incoming freshmen and sophomores this season, as well.

“I am most excited about seeing, teaching and competing with all the newcomers to the sport,” junior Alec Gonzalez said. “I believe that the team will exceed expectations this year due to our dedicated team and overall great coaches.”