Amanda Entzminger is a journalism student at Gilbert Christian High School assigned to cover high school sports for AZPreps365.com 

During this pandemic there has been a major turnover for the Gilbert Christian Girls basketball season. With no Knight Nation fans there to support the team, affecting player motivation, and getting used to  a new coaching staff, we wonder what this season looks like for the team. Has this changed the way the girls play out on the court?

The girls have to wear masks because the COVID-19 cases have gone up in Arizona. If the girls want to have a season then they must wear masks according to the AIA rule guidelines.

“We have to wear masks the whole time so it’s hard to breathe.” She has noticed she has become more tired and out of breath during the games because of the masks. 

This year, the girls basketball team has new coaches. As a junior, Maycee said, "Having new coaches has been really good for our team. We have become more disciplined and focused.  As a captain and upperclassman, I have a bigger role of leadership within the team.” Overall, the season is going pretty well, according to Maycee. 

Another question I asked her was, what it is like not having fans in the stands  and what motivates her to keep going with no one in the stands to cheer her on? This is what Maycee has to say,  “My teammates are what motivates me. It's disappointing not having fans in the stands, but we have to make it work.”  

Maycee Finkbeiner is an amazing role model for the underclassmen and great teammate. She always has a positive attitude on and off the court, is respectful to both coaches and teammates, and is so passionate and high strung for the love of basketball. She pours a great deal of passion and grit into this sport to help the team be successful.

Maycee and her teammates have been practicing since August, which was long before whether they knew whether there would be a season or not. They are 12-2, right now, and are excited and prepared to make it to the state championship. The team, itself, is very flexible with COVID-19 guidelines. Even though it has been frustrating, at times, and hard to play during this pandemic, our lady Knights basketball team makes it happen.