By: Thomas Eubank

Roster turnover: A problem plaguing every high school sports team. This season could be difficult for some winter
sports teams at GHS who lost a surplus of seniors last season.

Boys basketball lost nine seniors and will be missing four starters. “Having returning players step into a leadership role that comes with being a senior can create some challenges,” said boys basketball head coach Jake Oliver.

“All of our seniors come in everyday and compete,” said Oliver. He hopes having five seniors will compensate for the lack of experience. “The seniors usually have been around fortwo or three years in our program and know the expectations we have,” said Oliver.

The girls basketball Graduation plagues sports team. Teams will also deal with the loss of seniors from last season but will return five seniors. Girls coach Jim Bettis said that “it doesn’t matter if the team has many seniors or not, the leaders surface naturally.”

The team offers off-season opportunities for newer or older players to get involved with the team including college camps
and workouts. GHS wrestling coach Don Lineberry has close ties with middle school wrestling programs and invites them to join off-season workouts.

Roster turnover for indoor track is different since eighth graders can join the roster. “I keep my kids from eighth grade until they graduate,” said Coach Keilah Tyson speaking on the departure of seniors. Tyson said the maturity of seniors is the biggest asset that they bring to the table.

Tyson says that “commitment to the process will guarantee results. “My biggest reason for coaching high school is to help her seniors reach the next level,” said Tyson.

Graduated runners often remain in group chats, critique practices, and return whenever possible.

The GHS gymnastics team is another winter sport that deals with roster turnover every year. “Gymnastics is fortunate
enough to be able to keep most of the athletes who try out,” said Coach Tracy Layne.

The team will be led by senior captains Lilly McGinnis and Gabby Evans, both members of the team since freshman year. “They offer guidance and leadership to the younger and newer members of the team which helps us coaches a lot.”

The GHS swim team is coming off of their best season ever capping off last season with a state title for the boys. The team lost accomplished swimmers on both the girls and boys sides. Katrina Gauntt, swim head coach says, “Being heavily loaded with experience makes it harder for new athletes to get time to shine.”

Captains for the girls team include seniors Savannah Eakes and Macy Mann. Seniors Aidan Jacobs, Seamus Connell, and Henry Berger will serve as boys captains.

Though having many seniors is a great asset for the team, Gauntt says that it is not considered
when finalizing the roster. Oliver characterized the predicament of roster turnover. “Lessons are only learned through experience,” said Oliver.