Before the first whistle blows in the large gym, the preparation for every basketball game has already been well under way. From power naps to hype playlists, each athlete on the court has their own pregame routine that gets them ready.
Junior shooting guard Savio Suresh
Before every game, Suresh first recharges his energy by taking a nap, eating a quick snack and then completing a stretching routine. Because most games are after school around 6 p.m., taking a nap helps him stay fresh and get rid of his mental fog.
Senior guard Alex Sinton
Sinton’s preparation begins with the team as they stretch together while coach Mike Davey plays music such as the ‘90s Chicago Bulls intro. Because games end late into the night, the team usually has a quick debrief where Davey talks about what went well and where improvements could be made. To finish off his night, Sinton always gets dinner with the team before heading back home.
Junior shooting guard Aidan Liu
Liu also stretches well before every game. He arrives early to begin his own warmups and methodically practices his shots, starting from inside the paint before working his way out to the free throw and 3-point line.
For Liu, listening to music while warming up keeps his mind relaxed. Artists such as Travis Scott, Chris Tomlin and Hillsong Worship are his go-to artists. Liu then joins the rest of the team for their drills after his warmup routine.
Once the buzzer signals the end of their match, the boys’ basketball team usually goes out to dinner together, typically at BJ’s or In-N-Out.
“We look forward to having team lunch or dinner as a celebratory event, no matter win or loss,” Liu said. “We’re able to bond with each other off the court and having these group meals was definitely one of my favorite memories last year.”
On the other hand, the girls’ basketball team always begins their match days with a pregame talk to discuss their goals, their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and how they plan on responding to them led by coach Manny Steffen. Afterwards, the girls begin warming up with various stretches and drills.
Junior forward Payton Steffen
Before she even gets to the courts, Steffen always goes to Starbucks to get her go-to pre-game order: black tea with peach juice. Once the order is picked up, she heads to the courts, home or away, where she starts by doing her hair in two braids, then tying them into a ponytail. After refilling her energy with some caffeine and her hair feels perfect, Steffens joins the team for warmups.
“I always make sure to end my warmups by getting the last shot in,” Steffen said. “It leaves a good feeling in my shots and boosts my confidence.”
Senior forward Anjali Sahni
For Sahni, the game preparations begin with a banana to prevent cramps and music with artists such as Drake, Gunna and Young Thug to pump herself up. After a long and tiring game, she always uses a massage gun to get the knots out of her muscles, then takes a hot shower to relax. Sahni also has a foot massager she uses while finishing up her homework for the night, before drinking a cup of milk and heading to bed.
Junior forward Emma Williams
Before every home game, Williams makes sure to show up early either to watch and support the JV team or chat with teammates beforehand. To pump herself up, she listens to music with artists such as Kanye West or Frank Ocean. As a tradition, she also tries a new flavor of Celsius with the team every game.
The team has a two-year long tradition to go to Chick-fil-A after every game, no matter their result.
“It’s a really good way to bond as a team, especially after a loss because it helps boost our morale,” Williams said. “Even if our shots aren’t landing or we’re not playing as a team, going out afterwards helps us reconnect.”
