OYIS’ Got Ballers
If you haven’t been living under a huge rock for the past couple of months, you would know that the OYIS athletic teams have been heavily in action. Currently, it’s basketball season, and there are four teams at OYIS that are competing against other international school basketball teams; MS boys, MS girls, HS boys, and HS girls.
We interviewed some of our very own players and Coach Mack to see what our athletes have been up to, and here’s what they have to say.
Image captured by Mika Yanagisawa, staff photographer: OYIS HS Girls Basketball team competing against MBIS HS Girls.
Question #1: How do you feel about the OYIS athletics team?
Ayase (grade 11 HS girls basketball) - I honestly thought that our team would kind of – suck, but we were better than I thought. We won against Canadian Academy with 58:20, and although we lost against KIUA and Marist Brothers, I think next season we’re definitely gonna win.
Sang Hui (grade 9 HS boys basketball) - Uh I feel like our athletics team just started so we can do better.
Question #2: What do you enjoy most about practices?
Ayase (grade 11 HS girls basketball) - The practices are fun because we can actually learn about different techniques in basketball where we build teamwork and I also like how we can socialize with more people, especially because of DP where we can’t really talk to younger grades.
Sang Hui (grade 9 HS boys basketball) - Coach Mack. I think he just gives off very cool vibes and I feel like we have a lot in common.
Question #3: Do you get nervous before games?
Ayase (grade 11 HS girls basketball) - I think in our team, I’m the one who gets nervous the most because I’m a pretty pessimistic person, so I always think that we’re gonna lose.
Sang Hui (grade 9 HS boys basketball) - Yes.
Question #4: What helps you calm down?
Ayase (grade 11 HS girls basketball) - It helps that Karen, Eunwoo, Grace, and Yixiao come to watch for their CAS, and that’s definitely something that supports me.
Sang Hui (grade 9 HS boys basketball) - When I’m nervous, Michael comes over and tries to punch me so that helps.
Question #5: What was something that you remember being annoying during a game?
Ayase (grade 11 HS girls basketball) - Especially during the Marist-OYIS game, one girl kicked a couple of my teammates when they were trying to pick the ball off the ground. I got really mad and I kicked one of the chairs and I almost got called out by the referees. So yeah. That was annoying.
Sang Hui (grade 9 HS boys basketball) - It’s annoying when the other team’s player is like 30cm taller than me because they can easily block me because then I can’t really do anything.
So that’s how our very own athletes feel about the OYIS sports. I particularly liked Sang Hui’s unique method to calm himself down before games.
What about the organizer for all of this? How does he feel? Here’s what Coach Mack has to say about the OYIS athletics teams:
What are the ultimate goals you have for the OYIS athletic teams?
No matter the age, experience, or skill level, our goals are similar throughout the entire OYIS Athletics program. We want to give our student-athletes the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with their peers and coaches, challenge our student-athletes to reach their potential on the court and in the classroom, and represent OYIS respectfully and appropriately within our community and throughout Japan.
How do you feel about the current athletic teams at OYIS?
So far this school year, I'm very proud of our OYIS student-athletes, coaches, and community. Our community, teachers, and parents, have been generally supportive of the athletics program and all of the recent changes. Athletes and coaches have answered challenges to raise the bar, hold themselves and their team accountable, and compete against established MS and HS athletics teams and programs. In early December, our MS Boys Basketball team and MS Girls Soccer team participated in the WJAA Tournaments and Marist Brothers and Canadian Academy, which included a big win for the boys’ basketball team against SOIS and an overall 3rd place finish for our girls’ soccer team.
What are some upcoming events that you have in store for the athletics teams?
The Boys and Girls HS Basketball teams have been practicing and playing games since late October, and both teams will compete in the WJAA Tournament at CA in mid-January. We're looking forward to great results and growth from both teams as they've put in a lot of work these last few months. Both of our HS Basketball teams have a very bright future, and it has been a pleasure coaching them this year. Also happening right now, the MS Boys Soccer team and MS Girls Basketball team started practice earlier this week. We look forward to great seasons with those teams as we have full rosters on both sides.
Sounds to me, like our small school community is full of talented athletes. I hope that in the future, our school will have opportunities to compete against more WJAA members and make our way further to the top.
“Joining the athletics program is a great way to stay connected to the OYIS school community, build meaningful relationships with peers and teachers, and stay in shape! If you have any questions about the OYIS Athletics Program or future opportunities (playing a sport, service learning, etc), feel free to contact Coach Mack at [email protected]”
- Coach Mack