Ethan Ryter is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Perry High School for AZPreps365.com.

Open an app on your phone created by the district. Scan a QR code and do a symptoms check. If you get a green light, take your temperature. If your temperature is normal, you may proceed to practice.

That is the daily routine for players on the Perry boys basketball team.

Before the season began Jan. 19, players was practicing without a clear idea of whether they would even have one. When the Arizona Interscholastic Association initially voted to cancel winter sports, Perry head coach Sam Duane was tasked with telling his team of the news and consequences. 

“[It] was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do as a coach,” Duane said.

Perry point guard Christian Tucker was confused why they would let them practice and then just call it off.

However, the AIA eventually reversed its decision just days later. Duane was happy for his players, specifically his seniors, for getting the opportunity to play. Tucker said he had a “sigh of relief.”

Even still, COVID-19 concerns are clear in their daily routine.

“It’s a part of everything we do,” Duane said.

Whether it’s practicing, attending school, hanging out with friends or playing games, COVID-19 protocols are present in them all.

“We have hand sanitizer everywhere. During games we’re cleaning the balls,” Perry athletic director Jane Burks said. “Having students on the sidelines sit far apart from each other. Staying on kids about wearing masks all the time.”

Duane and Burks both made it clear that the safety and health of the players comes first, and playing second. With this comes new norms that take some getting used to.

Tucker said masks make it harder to breathe and the absence of fans makes for a strange atmosphere. Burks hopes attendance numbers can soon increase, citing the possibility of players eventually being allowed to bring four fans rather than two.

The biggest impact COVID-19 has had on the team, Duane said, is the stops and starts throughout the season. Through COVID-19-related game and practice cancellations, the team has been forced to put everything on hold and then start right back up again when the time was deemed right.

COVID-19 is not only affecting players on the court. They have been forced to sacrifice their social lives, staying away from large gatherings and focusing their attention on basketball.

It’s also impacting the recruiting process, as players can no longer visit colleges and find it harder to have constant contact with college coaches.

“Now they’re having to make decisions on colleges that they may or may not have actually seen in person,” Burks said.

Before the pandemic, Tucker said he was in touch with a few schools. Everything has since slowed down and he now sends any film of his play he can get his hands on to coaches he was in contact with before.

Duane said he has told his players, “You can only control what you can control.” 

His staff members have also been doing their part by sending more film than usual to colleges this year.

Despite the many changes, the overwhelming feeling on the team is appreciation for being able to play. Duane says he knows “the next day is not guaranteed,” and his team does not take practices or games for granted anymore. No one knows if it’s their last.

“We’re just glad we get to play and take advantage of that, but COVID has affected everything,” Duane said.