The new year invites new resolutions, goals and ambitions. As winter sports continue, players strive to move further with their team. With the new bocce season in play, Freedom’s team is expecting to excel moving forward. 

The team began their season with two practices a week, where younger players got tips and feedback from their older peers on how to improve their game. “Starting a new sport with my teammates being older and more experienced than me was scary at first,” junior Hailey Stinar said. “However, my older teammates have actually become my favorite part of bocce so far. They’re always positive and encouraging. It’s really refreshing to have teammates like that.”

Prior to their first official game, the bocce team kicked off their season with a scrimmage against Shenango. The scrimmage, which happened on Dec. 13, was away. Freedom scored a win of 2-0. They continued weekly practices in between the scrimmage and their first game to maintain their confidence and skill. 

The team had their first section game on Dec. 21, as they hosted Beaver in the high school gymnasium. They continued their game-winning streak as they won 2-0 once again. 

Most of the team members know each other from years prior, but they still find a way to build connections with new teammates added to the mix. 

“I think [knowing each other longer] has made us stronger since we have all been friends for a while,” senior Steffan Paganie, who is one of the bocce team captains, said. 

The team has received advice and support from not only each other, but also their coaches and other leaders. This season’s head coach Ms. Hope Bennett and assistant coach Ms. Abygail Pritchard proudly assist and watch their team thrive on the court at every game. They often engage in huddles and time-outs to offer reinforcement, advice and encouragement to the players and assist them in overcoming tasks and general hiccups within the game. 

Throughout the season thus far, the bocce team has experienced and gotten immense support from fellow students, coaches and many others.

 “We have had wonderful coaches and it’s been so nice to see a lot more people come to our matches recently,” Paganie said. “I think it makes us all happy to have the support.”