HAPPY ON THE HARDWOOD
Saints finally get back to work at Alumni Hall
PAWTUCKET – St. Raphael senior star Amaya Dowdy claimed an uneasy feeling washed over her late Sunday night. Was the first official practice of the girls’ basketball season still going to take place?
“Honestly, I thought at 11:59 (p.m.) that they were going to tell us that we’re not playing,” said Dowdy, the UMass Lowell signee.
Given the abrupt fashion in which last season ended for Dowdy and the Saints, one shouldn’t fault her for thinking the worse. A team that was on a roll as the 201920 regular season wrapped up never had a chance to suit up in the playoffs, not after the coronavirus impacted the SRA community in significant fashion.
With that serving as the backdrop, the fact that Dowdy and her teammates made it through Monday’s inaugural practice of the 2021 season should be hailed as a significant achievement. Players ran sprints up and down the Alumni Hall court. Time was devoted to running through basic plays under the watchful eyes of head coach Tammy Drape and assistant Nina Bliss.
It might not have been under normal circumstances – players and coaches were wearing masks – but at least they were on the court and doing what they love.
“It’s good to be here … to see everyone and know that everyone is okay,” said Dowdy, referring to some of her teammates who have chosen to learn virtually.
“I was scared that I wasn’t going to be able to play in my senior year.”
After one of the most relaxing practices in her 23-year coaching career, Drape focused on the positive.
“It was a blessing from the grace of God,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of people thought this was going to happen. Something was taken away from us [last season] and we were angry, but we should be happy with the opportunity we have right now”
The fact that St. Raphael raised the curtain for its winter sports programs to practice on Monday places the girls’ basketball team on a track to open the regular season against longtime state power La Salle on Saturday, Jan. 16. No schedule is set in stone, however, until the R.I. Interscholastic League receives clearance for games to take place from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management.
“We’re taking it one day at a time and hope and pray that everyone stays safe,” said Drape.
One thing that Drape told her players is that the season is going to fly by like a fastbreak. The regular season is expected to conclude on Saturday, Feb. 13 with playoffs scheduled for the following week.
“It’s going to go by very fast, but let’s just be grateful,” said Drape.
The Saints also talked about living in their own bubble, the kind that will ensure the season doesn’t fall off the hinges. To that end, Bliss took a bottle of cleaning solution and wiped down the basketballs with a towel as Monday’s practice drew to a close.
“I can only suggest that they go home after they’re done with basketball,” said Drape. “I’m just happy to see the kids out there.”