Nikki Dean a senior has been playing basketball for four years at Heritage High School, her position on the team is point guard.  Even though this year is different, she is determined to make the best of it.  Dean said “I go to basketball practice early to get shot practice, and I always have a positive attitude.”  This shows how doing the little things can really help you go a long way in the sport.  Even though this year is a little different, she focuses on the positives during the season. 

Sadly, playing basketball during a pandemic has changed a lot of things.  “It’s more difficult to have connections with fans, because no one can watch us play,” Dean said.  Besides not being able to connect with fans Dean pointed out, “We have to play with masks during games and practices.”  Having to run back and forth on the court wearing masks is extremely difficult given the circumstances. 

Playing basketball during a pandemic that requires social distancing and limited contact has a lot of challenges. “During tryouts they split JV and varsity.”  Which changed how the tryout process was like for the players.  Dean said, “During covid not as much contact is allowed during practices and games.”  Which is really hard considering that basketball is a contact sport.  “Handshakes aren’t allowed during or after the games” Dean added.  That is sad because having handshakes really connects  teammates and shows  good luck to everyone.  Having that taken away really was a difficult loss in terms of player connection.  Experiencing senior season during Covid carries a shadow for Dean and all the other senior athletes in Loudoun County Public Schools.  Covid changed the season significantly, but she got through it and focused on the positives.