The bocce team has been playing throughout the winter sports season, rallying support from audience members and gathering a collection of wins and losses. Aiming for diversity, inclusion and sportsmanship, the team’s growing foundation has been established for the rest of the season.

In bocce, teams can play with eight or ten participants at a time. At the school, and the teams they play against, the team consists of nine members, eight of whom play during each period. This means that one player sits out to support the rest of their team from the sidelines in the first game, then exchanges places with another player during the second game. The team has welcomed five new players this season: Easton Shreckengost (9), Declan Leasure (9), Shyler Welling (9), Landon Palka (11) and Riley Henley (11). These new players are vital for support and team-building, as they learn the ropes of the game alongside their returning teammates.

On Dec. 10, the bocce team played its first home game against Southside. After winning the coin toss, they played using the red bocce balls. Each game, players begin with an oath and then a coin toss between team captains, this year’s being Mia Roncevich (11), Cayden Satterwhite (12) and Saphronia Volland (12). Whoever wins the coin toss has the opportunity to choose which color bocce ball their team should play with, giving both teams a fair chance to use whichever color they desire.

In the first game, they lost 7-4. In the second game, they tied 5-5, making them have to go into overtime. In overtime, the Bulldogs were defeated by the Rams in the final game.

On Dec. 17, the team had an away game against Aliquippa. In the first game, they lost 4-3. In the second game, despite their efforts to overcome the loss, they were defeated again 6-4, meaning Aliquippa won the overall game.

Hoping to recover from their previous losses, the team dedicated time to practicing and perfecting their game. They spent winter break to relax, then returned back to school with a fresh outlook. They honed in on team communication and positivity, pushing for the theme of bocce.

On Jan. 8, the team returned to the court. They faced off against Moon in the high school gymnasium, where they won the coin toss and played using the red bocce balls. During the first period, they won 7-5 and bounced back even further in the second period, winning the second game 7-4. They rebounded from their previous loss, boosting their overall morale and hopes for the next game.

“Bocce is my favorite sport,” Cayden Satterwhite (12) said. “[My favorite part is] playing with friends.”