Bobcats eager to play through pandemic

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This article was published 06/01/2022 (1536 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s an undeniable difference between the Brandon University Bobcats return to the Healthy Living Centre from the Christmas break and fall training camp.

Usually, that’s because January is when the post-season push ramps up. There’s a desperation for teams outside the Canada West playoff picture and confidence for those near the top. September offers a giant contrast as youthful energy and optimism rule the day for all.

Fall of 2020 was a completely different story. The season wasn’t yet cancelled due to COVID-19, but it was a matter of when, not if, the news was coming. The Bobcats came back a year later, armed with their required pair of mRNA vaccine doses and amped for the end of a 600-plus-day layoff from game action.

But that uneasy feeling is tough to avoid with the omicron variant ripping through the country, and case counts smashing all-time Canadian highs.

BU women’s volleyball coach Lee Carter isn’t comparing this week to either of his past two camps concerning the likelihood of playing upcoming matches.

“I think it’s way different. It’s January of ’22,” he said before practice Wednesday. “We’re going to play, and we got to figure out a way to manage our team. That’s the way it’s going to be.”

Ontario University Athletics is already on pause until Jan. 27. Canada West, however, essentially took a “no news is good news” approach to its messaging over the break. Some teams are returning as scheduled tonight. Men’s basketball games between the host UBC Okanagan Heat and Fraser Valley Cascades and the host Thompson Rivers WolfPack and Trinity Western Spartans are postponed.

TRU is facing issues due to COVID protocols, while UBCO won’t have enough players due to “a combination of illness and travel complications,” according to news releases. Both women’s weekend doubleheaders are running as scheduled, as are all other conference games for now.

The Bobcats return to action on Jan. 14, with the basketball teams entertaining Regina and volleyball squads visiting Saskatchewan.

They’re taking a cautious approach to practice. Both volleyball teams are following Volleyball Manitoba’s recommendation of wearing masks throughout practice, as they did during the pre-season. Men’s basketball coach Gil Cheung told the Sun practice access is limited this week to “limit contacts for everyone.”

Carter said four of his players tested positive for COVID-19 over the break, with two more having close contacts who developed symptoms. Wilson said while no one tested positive in Brandon, five men’s volleyball players did back home.

The good news is none developed severe symptoms and most have already returned to their teams.

“I think that’s great. The fact that they are double vaccinated shows their immune system is working, doing what it’s supposed to do,” Carter said.

“(I) had no symptoms, isolated for a bit and that was literally it. It was a blessing,” added a player, who took a rapid test as a precaution ahead of gatherings.

“… We’re definitely being mindful of our bubble and working together to be safe, make smart decisions so that our team can go forward with the season.

“I feel like we’re all pretty healthy individuals too. We’re all vaccinated so it definitely lessens a bit of concern.”

The Bobcats don’t want to see the season cut short, especially the women, who jumped out to a 4-2 start and sit second in the East Division, one win back of the Huskies, who they play in seven days for the top spot. They’ve all but clinched a playoff spot due to the modified format that includes 12 of the 14 teams, instead of eight.

Carter’s ready to adjust on the fly, with two veteran setters in Jamie Bain and Alexa Shoults and a bunch of attackers with experience at multiple positions.

Wilson’s group has a similar level of depth. While one or two absent starters would have derailed the 2018-19 team — and did when they went 2-6 down the stretch in 2019-20 — the current backups aren’t as far off the level of the starters.

But the second-place Bobcats (4-4) can only hope roster decisions are the greatest of their concerns. They have no control over provinces shutting down sports.

“I feel like there’s a bit of skepticism as to how things are going to go forward. There’s a lot of examples of games being cancelled around the world in various sports,” Wilson said.

“As we started this year, we were pretty excited to get going, and for the most part, we still feel that way. We feel like the opportunity’s still there, and we’re just hopeful everybody can stay healthy, and we can carry on.”

“Our goals haven’t changed. Goal number one was to get in the playoffs. Goal number two was to get as far as you can and get to nationals,” he added. “We have a 20-man roster, so even if we do come across some guys that struggle getting their health back, we can still field a team and confident in other guys stepping up in roles they maybe haven’t had to fill yet.”

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @thomasmfriesen