January 7, 2021

Lions hoop it up at practice to make future court cases

 If COVID-19 allows, Belfast looks to play handful of regional games

By Staff | Jan 06, 2021
Photo by: Mark HaskellScene from Belfast Area High School basketball practice on Jan. 4. With the school mascot painting on the gymnasium wall in the background, Lion Chris Kelley soars to the hoop.

BELFAST — Belfast Area High  School basketball teams took to the court on Monday, Jan. 4 for the first official Maine Principals' Association-allowable team-oriented practices.

Donning face coverings and implementing social distancing when possible, the Lion student-athletes began work on team court concepts after weeks of individual skills-and-drills work.

The pandemic has, of course, changed everything for everyone, including school-sponsored sports.

While Belfast sponsored golf, soccer, field hockey, cross country and 7-on-7 flag football in the fall, albeit in mostly shortened and altered seasons, it was uncertain, a one point, if most winter sports would be allowed due to their indoor nature and necessity for participants to wear face masks and limit the number of people in a space.

But, like all of the state's high school hoop athletes, the Lions hope to play a handful of varsity games in January and February, if COVID-19 and state county distinctions allow.

Belfast will play a regional schedule.

Due to the pandemic and continued spikes of positive COVID-19 cases around the state, safety protocols continue everywhere, in schools, pools, ski slopes and gymnasiums.

The Lion girls will be guided by Jojo Oliphant and Belfast boys by Marty Messer.

Courier Publications' sports staff can be reached by email at sports@villagesoup.com or by phone at 594-4401.

Belfast basketball practice
Belfast basketball practice on Jan. 4. (Video by: Mark Haskell and Zack Miller)

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