By Morgan DeLaet
YOUR KAYHI STARTING LINEUP, the announcer exclaims as the gym radiates with energy.
The 5-person roster every player hopes to be a part of. Regions is right around the corner, and the Kings are 0-4, and the Lady Kings are 1-3 in the conference. The starting five have gotten all the media attention and praise, mixed with the pressure and criticism. However, both teams present an eleven-player travel roster and have presented a deep bench during home games.
The bench holds an important yet often overlooked role in high school sports. It represents resilience, culture, and team identity. Having equal importance to the newspaper headline players on the court.
Junior TJ Alahan is a three-year member of the Kings and has started to see some minutes in varsity games. His goal this season is to constantly put all his effort out on the table and see where that gets him.
“From the starting five to all the way down to the last guy, I think we all play an important role. Mine is to bring the energy and to get the team amped up while I’m waiting.”
Being on the bench isn’t about absence; it’s about presence. Bench players are the emotional backbone of the team. They bring the energy through all four quarters and keep the momentum alive.
Junior, Bruce Johnstone, is also a three-year member of the Kings. He tries to be his best at every practice and puts effort into everything.
“I’m energetic and supportive in practice and on the bench. I don’t play as much as some of the other guys, but I’m always there for them through the tough times.”
Learning to wait your turn can be an emotionally challenging experience for high schoolers who care about their peers’ judgments. Working hard, sacrificing just as much, and not getting the rewards or recognition can be a tough experience to come to terms with. Without a strong team or mindset, being on the bench can be a discouraging and demotivating position.
Athletes who embrace the bench role learn patience, humility, and perseverance.
Johnstone is prepared, motivated, and constantly cheering, even when the score isn’t looking promising.
“Between the starting five and the bench, skill-based, there’s a difference, but when it comes to being energetic, motivational, and putting in effort, I don’t think there’s a difference between anybody on the team.”
It’s important to stay focused on what you can control. Athletes don’t have direct control over their playing time. Sometimes, working hard and having a positive attitude is all you can do.
Freshman Sophia Schulz gets playing time with the Lady Kings depending on the size and athleticism of the opposing team. She’s enthusiastic about getting the opportunity to play varsity as a freshman, no matter the minutes.
“Coach Smith always tells me that I’m more of a defensive player. I bring a lot of optimism. I also don’t get angry super fast, which can be really helpful for this team.”
Jazlyn Ramsey is also a freshman for the Lady Kings, who has seen an increase in her playing time lately. Her role this season has been to post up and be big on defense.
“My teammates and I put in a lot of the same effort, and we all put our whole selves on the court.”
We do have a lot of energy. It varies on the day, though, which is why I try to be consistent.”
While the scoreboard shows points, the bench shows devotion and sacrifice. The bench has always to be ready. When the coach yells your name, you must step in and contribute without hesitation or excuse.
Alahan says, “I’m constantly cheering, always trying to get everyone hype, but when my boys and I are about to go in, I lock in.”
A player on the bench often sees the game with fresh eyes. They aren’t weighed down by the fatigue of long plays or the nerves of shooting free throws or clutch shots.
Schulz says the bench is always ready and eager to sub in.
“The starting five and the bench all have the same energy. The biggest difference is the aggressiveness between the two. If you put our bench in right after the starting five, you see that.”
With the latest Ketchikan Daily News headlines being: “Turnovers costly for Kings”, “Juneau tops Lady Kings”, “Colony boys crush Kings”, and “Mt. Edgecumbe sweeps the Kings”. Neither team is necessarily going in with a bid to state secured.
However, that hasn’t changed the players’ mentality, whose energy is essential to the team.
Johnstone and Ramsey both plan to bring the utmost support and positive attitude they can throughout all regions.
Alanhan is ready to go to regions, since the Kings seem cool, calm, and collected about playing Juneau even after going 0-2 last weekend.
“Personally, I plan to bring the underdog mentality the team needs.”
There may be only five players on the court and eleven going to regions, but behind the scenes, there is so much more that makes a team.
Senior Maddi Ginter is the Lady Kings manager this season. It’s her first year in this role, as she’s using her position to give herself something to do, keep herself busy, and get to know the girls better in and out of the gym.
“The girls really appreciate me and need the support because they get into their heads a lot. I’m there, so it’s not just the coaches screaming at them. If they need a break or walk off the court, I’ll go talk to them.”
Being a team manager is a good way to develop life skills such as time management and problem-solving. They help teams stay organized while supporting players emotionally on and off the sidelines, along with the not-so-fun jobs.
“Coach Smith also needs me a lot too...I do lots and lots of laundry.”
Everyone has a role, and to be a good leader, you must first know how to be a good follower.
The Region V title comes down to two, maybe three games. The Kings and Lady Kings have been building up to this moment all season long. The starting five and the bench will all be tested; keeping a solid mindset is important for the whole team.
Schulz says, “We’re all really excited for regions. We all want it, and it’s very clear how badly we all want it.”