As fall sports’ seasons dwindle down with the chill of winter, Mountain Ridge can welcome those that represent winter. Girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, and wrestling prepare for their debut come the end of 2021.

Winter sports get their first shot at the road to success this coming month as tryouts are beginning November 1st for the respective sports. Each sport has the chance to make the most of their season, after having a lull last season caused by COVID.

A consensus for all students is that any student athlete must register online at Register My Athlete at MRHSATHLETICS.com and turn in a physical. dTURNED IN BY FRIDAY, October 29th. Importantly, athletes need to make sure their brainbook course is complete (http://aiaacademy.org/users/login/brainbook).

With students wanting to prepare for their important tryouts, here is all the information one could need come tryout week.

Boys Basketball: Tryouts times for players are Monday through Wednesday (11/1-11/3). Freshmen will be taking the court from 2:45-4:45PM and Sophomores to Seniors get their shot from 4:30-7PM. Gyms are to be determined in the waiting of scheduling for volleyball and badminton playoffs. Boys trying out need to make sure they bring their basketball shoes and a water bottle. 

Team selections are on Wednesday (11/3) and players will be informed in person who earned the right to be a member of the Mountain Ridge Basketball Program and what team they will be a part of. The 2021-2022 teams will be evaluated on skill and their ability to display the team core values of effort, attitude, toughness, and trust.

Girls Basketball: Tryout dates range from Monday through Wednesday on the week of November 1. These will take place in the MRHS AUX Gym. All grades will participate at the same time from 2:30-4:30PM after school. It is recommended that all potential suitors for the team bring their court shoes and a water bottle as well. 

Team cuts will be posted at the end of the tryout on Wednesday (11/3). Team selections run on the basis of the fulfilment on the criteria of attitude, work ethic, productivity, and conditioning level in complement to athlete skill.

Boys Soccer: Tryouts will begin on Monday and finalize on Thursday, lasting from 2:30 to 4:45. First cuts will be made after Tuesday’s tryout. The soccer field where tryouts will be is located just north of the main stadium field, adjacent to the tennis courts. 

It will be required that athletes wear a plain white shirt each day as a number will be provided for the athletes to pin to the back of their shirts (do not wear a white shirt that already has a number on the back). Athletes are to check in with Coach Lang so the number can be recorded next to their name. 

What is needed for tryouts includes running shoes, shin guards, cleats, and a water bottle. As the week prolongs, athletes will be scored on a 5 point scale for each of the attributes below: passing, receiving, field awareness, aggressiveness, strength on the ball (keeping ball under pressure), creativity, run times, coachability, grades, and attitude The scoring is meant to be a guide for the coaches and athletes that make Varsity or Junior Varsity will be by selection of Coach Lang, Coach Block and Coach P. 

Activities on the day will include: a small sided scrimmage, a full field scrimmage, a small sided possession, timed 40 yard run, and a Mile run (7:30 required). 

If you make Junior Varsity or Varsity, there is a mandatory parent meeting on Tuesday, November 9, at 6:00 pm, in the gym.

Girls Soccer: Tryouts are the full week of 11/1-11/5 from 2:45 to 4:45PM. There will not be first cuts but the final team will be introduced on Friday after the full field scrimmage. Tryouts take place on the practice field adjacent to Hillcrest, almost behind the football field, just follow the path, next to the sand volleyball courts, and it will lead you up to the tryout field.

Tennis Shoes, cleats, shin guards, any T-Shirt with your name on the back (you can write it on athletic tape or duct tape), and a water bottle are necessary for all girls showing up. This season there will be 2 teams, JV and Varsity only. Tryouts will consist of: a skill assessment (dribbling, passing, shooting), a timed mile run (Varsity needs at least under 8:00 minutes), a 40 yard timed dash, some short sided games, and full field game.

Wrestling: Both boys and girls are welcomed to participate in this challenging sport. There are no tryouts and the first practice begins on November 1st at 2:30 in the wrestling room, next to the small gym. The only prerequisite is to make sure you are cleared through the athletics office.

Don’t let the scare of stepping out of your comfort zone limit you from trying out for the amazing winter sports Mountain Ridge offers. Grow yourself and if you are on the fence for trying out, give it a shot because the Mountain Lions would love to have you as our representation in athletics. Go Ridge and best of luck to all those trying out and the winter season marathon they are about to embark on!