Three Northport Lady Tiger stars share COVID-19 experiences

Recently, three student-athletes from Northport High School shared their experiences with playing sports during the pandemic.

Emma Blanco, senior

Four weeks and only eight games — that is all the Northport Lady Tigers got this season.

Compared to the four months that we usually get for a basketball season, you can definitely say that this year was something different. The Covid-19 pandemic was something that no one saw coming, and it hit everyone hard. Last year, our season was cut short right before we were about to play the Long Island Girls Championship game. This year we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to get on the court again after so much uncertainty about resuming high school sports. COVID-19 was something that no high school sport had ever experienced, and as the winter season was the first that could play, we were the guinea pigs. The masks, social distancing, weekly testing and contact tracing was new territory for everyone.

In the past, we would have been practicing and playing in both summer and fall leagues. These programs not only help us grow as a team skills wise, but give us more time to bond as teammates. 

Luckily, all the girls who returned this year had played on the varsity team last year or had been pulled up from the junior varsity team for playoffs in 2020. I knew from the first practice that all the girls were excited, motivated, and ready to get on the court again, and we were determined to make the best of the short season that we were given.

The uncertainty that surrounded the season was definitely stressful. Hearing about other teams that could not play because they were in quarantine after a teammate tested positive — we knew that the season could be taken away just as fast as it started.  The optimistic and positive attitude that our team had from the beginning was so crucial to our team’s success. We all knew how important it was to follow the guidelines so that everyone stayed healthy during the season.

Due to COVID restrictions, fans were not allowed at any of our games. We ran a fundraiser that allowed all of our families and fans to purchase cardboard cutouts that would be placed in the stands during all of our home games.  It was nice to look out into the stands and see familiar faces, but it did not come close to comparing to the roaring crowds that were in the stands the previous year. Our team filled the void by keeping a positive attitude on and off the court. Although this was not the season that everyone had hoped for, it was an unforgettable experience that will go down in Northport Lady Tiger history.

I am so grateful that I had the chance to lead the team as co-captain and to play as a Northport Lady Tiger one last time before graduating in both basketball and field hockey. I will always look back on my years as a Lady Tiger with the fondest of memories.

Emma Blanco plays girls basketball and was captain in 2021 and was part of the 2020 Suffolk County Championship team. She was named All League II in 2021 and Suffolk County All-Academic team with an average over 100.

She also plays field hockey and was part of the Suffolk County and Long Island Championship team in 2021.

Sophia Yearwood, junior

Having an opportunity to play in the 2021 season gave us hope and relief. As a team we all began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was proud to be on the court with teammates who demonstrated such resilience and determination. We had to accept a new reality which was having less time to sharpen our skills, prepare, and bond as a team for this season.

We did face some adversity, as we had injuries, quarantines and losses that could have and should have been wins. However, we relied on one another to keep us strong and focused, while continuing to develop as a team. Our coaches emphasize the importance of teamwork and encouraged us to inspire and motivate each other.

I remember the day of our first game this season. I think we were all so excited that it was in fact happening when there had been so much doubt. I remember proudly putting on my uniform and walking into the gym.  It was such a great feeling to see all my teammates dressed in their uniforms as well ready to play! I could feel the energy, anticipation and emotion that filled the room. It actually felt like we were all returning home after being away for way too long.

Sophia Yearwood plays on the girls basketball team and was part of the 2020 Suffolk County Championship team and a three-year starter, All County in 2020 and 2021 and on Newsday’s Top 100 players on Long Island. She is also a starter for the varsity volleyball team.

Sophia Bica, junior

The best word I could use to describe playing sports during the pandemic is ‘differen.t’

Every team had to adjust to the new rules made by the state such as getting tested before games and wearing masks as we played. I think the toughest thing teams had to deal with was the testing because it would take a lot of time out of the day.  Also, if the team that you played had somebody with a positive COVID-19 test, your team would get quarantined too.

I can confidently say that everybody involved was more than willing to do all of these things just so we could have a season. Although a couple of teams only played one or two games, my teams were fortunate enough to play full seasons although it was very different from what we are used to. But all of the girls, players and coaches, on every team, came together to make the most of it.

Sophia Bica plays on the girls basketball team. She is a three-year starter, All County in 2020 and 2021 and on Newsday’s Top 100 players on Long Island. She was a Suffolk County Basketball Champion in 2020. She is captain of the field hockey team that won both Suffolk County and Long Island Championships in 2021 and was this year’s Suffolk County Player of the Year for field hockey as well as First Team All Long Island and All New York State.

All photos by Steven Zaitz