
As the spring season came to a close, the Boys Varsity Handball Team finished strong, placing second in their division. This was enough to make the playoffs, and they won their first playoff match against Brooklyn Community Arts & Media High School.
Coach Kevin Lau said that “For a team of brand new players who know nothing of the sport, I think we [have done] very well.” Of the thirteen players on the team, ten joined this year. After finishing the season with eight wins and only two losses, Coach Lau said the team is confident in moving forward.
“This season we had a rather new lineup with few returners. Despite this, we have grown with every practice and game, in both our skills and mindset,” said Junior Captain James Castrodad.
Looking back at where the team started this season, junior Israel Morales said, “Our weakest moment was probably the beginning of the season. Everyone was just getting warmed up after not playing for a while. But those long practices really helped us get back into shape.”
“One of the biggest accomplishments for me was the team bonding. There were a bunch of new faces, and getting close to everyone really helped us build that team chemistry. That connection is going to help us finish strong and stick with us even after the season ends,” Israel said.
Freshman Zihan Liu spoke about his personal growth throughout the season as a new player. “There was a game where we were seven points behind, but we did not give up. Instead, my heart told me that I must win this game, and then I encouraged my teammates and we won.”
Coach Lau said that while skill can be developed through their tireless training and conditioning, attitude is even more crucial. He said “Finding the right attitude and mindset will allow players to harvest the fruits of their labor as they continue to grow.”
Israel also recalled a moment that brought the team together: “We were tied 2-2 in a match, and it came down to our captain, James. He was down by about 15 points but managed to come out on top. The passion he put into that game lit a fire in all of us. We really stepped it up after that.”
James said “The best way to bounce back from a poor performance is to use it as motivation to perform your best in the next game, instead of letting it affect you negatively.” With this, the team remained motivated, even after their two losses.
Coach Lau said he hopes that the season has sparked a lasting passion in his players. “I hope they get hooked into the sport and are so driven that they spend the rest of the year promoting handball enthusiastically,” he said.