HELENA -- For the first time in a little more than nine months, the Helena Capital girls basketball team was back on the court in a game-like scenario. The squad hosted its Brown and Gold scrimmage on Saturday, and head coach Katie Garcin-Forba said it was nice to be back on the court, regardless of whether or not it was merely just a game situation.
"It felt so good. You know, I think that it gave us a little bit of normalcy that we've been waiting for. Obviously the setup looks different and our precautions are different, but it was really nice," said Garcin-Forba.
As the Bruins prepare for their season, the thought of the season getting delayed even further has traction as Class AA Superintendents appealed to the MHSA to delay the winter season on account of the high number of COVID-19 cases. Garcin-Forba said the feeling is similar to that of March during the Class AA state tournament.
“It feels a little bit eerily reminiscent of the state tournament in March, where you kind of are waiting for that other shoe to drop," said Garcin-Forba, whose team finished the 2019-20 season as co-state champions with Billings West after the state tournament was canceled after the semifinal games. "You don't necessarily know when, maybe that won't happen, but I think for us, our message to our kids and to our staff and the families is, this is when the first game is going to be until we're told differently."
Coupling that with news that spectators are currently being restricted to 25 people or less in Lewis and Clark County, it’s a lot to take in as players, parents and coaches get ready for this season, but, according to Garcin-Forba, everyone is taking it in stride.
"The kids have shown that they are incredibly resilient, and the basketball parents in our program have been incredibly supportive, and whatever decisions are made let's make sure our kids can play," said Garcin-Forba.
While there is a chance that things could change, the Helena Capital girls basketball team is slated to being its season on Jan. 7 against the Butte Bulldogs.
