Attention Darnell Cookman students! The 2024-2025 Boys Basketball team season has started, and they have been working very hard to win as many games as possible this season. The new head coach of the boys’ basketball team is Coach Hodges. He has big expectations for this team and wants to do everything possible to make these boys the best they can be. Their games are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday, so catch them play before the season is over.

Basketball is a team sport where two teams of five players compete to score points by throwing a ball into a hoop. As I interviewed Coach Hodges, I asked him about his experiences as a coach. He mentioned, “Being a coach is not just believing in the athletes but also teaching them and learning things for yourself.” It seems like being a coach involves more than just a few steps and challenges.

I asked Coach Hodges how he promotes positive energy with his team through both positive and negative situations. He commented, “If my team is struggling on the court, I will make another plan for them so it can turn into a solution or communicate with them and tell them not to rush it and just breathe. Even when we are winning and doing great in the game, I will tell them not to get too hyper but keep it up and keep grinding to earn that win.”

Thank you, Head Coach Hodges, for guiding these boys on the court and helping them to be the best athletes they can be.

Now, let’s talk about the athletes on the court. Kingston Everett is an 8th grader who played for the Vikings football team, but he is now playing on the basketball team. I asked him how he prepares mentally and physically before a game. Kingston responded, “I put my headphones on and listen to music to prepare myself and get ready for what I’m going to be up against. I also make sure the team is good and getting prepared mentally and physically for the game.”

Basketball is not just a physical sport; it can be very mental. You and your teammates can also have an influence on everything around them.

The next athlete I have to mention is Willie Eberheart. He is a 7th grader and an athlete on the boys’ basketball team. I asked Willie how he would describe this season of basketball, and he said, “We still have things to improve on, but right now as a team we are doing good, and this season we are trying to change things and show other teams and the school why we deserve this opportunity and we are going to make it happen.”

Thank you to both athletes, and I wish you the best for the rest of the season. The DC Vikings boys’ basketball team has won 2 games and lost 3. Go to one of the games this season and cheer them on!