Jackson Devine is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalsim student assigned to cover Deer Valley for AZPreps365.com.

COVID protocols require every player, coach, and referee to wear a mask on the court this season. This means players have to play full speed for 32 minutes while also wearing a mask. This is no easy task.

“It's tough,” said junior Greg Giles, “The mask can get wet and I’m the point guard so it can be harder to talk, it can be frustrating, but you gotta do what you gotta do to play ball.”

Coach Jedd Dunn has adapted. 

“From having a season to not having a season, to no fans being able to attend games, to having to wear masks. However, the way we run our basketball program the past 13 years is we don’t complain about our circumstances, we find the good, so we are really thankful we are playing and competing daily,” said Dunn.

This mindset and leadership from the top down is the reason why the SkyHawks are off to a 7-0 start. It has also allowed them to stay focused through the ups and downs and only worry about what they can control. 

The type of adversity teams have had to face throughout the year can either tear your team apart or make them closer than ever. Deer Valley has built a culture that has allowed this team to thrive under these tough times. It has also brought another meaning to this season.

“This season means more because you never know when it’s gonna end… but this has brought us together,” said junior Semajay James.