Slowly But Surely, We’re Getting Closer To Hoops
This is definitely the first time I’ve ever shot photos of a basketball team on a baseball field. But I’ve never been happier to do it.
I was glad to go to North Commons Park today and take photos of the Minneapolis North basketball team’s workout. I’ve spent too much time stuck inside without seeing friendly faces, and I think the players felt the same way.
Teams were allowed to work out together on Monday with the high school league’s blessing. I’m not exactly sure the of the details, but I know that outside activity is allowed. So instead of a steamy June gym, we were all on a baseball diamond with the sun shining.
“Monday was a great day,” said Minneapolis North coach Larry McKenzie. “And our guys just need to see us. For the kids that I coach, it’s about giving them an elbow bump and just seeing them. Knowing that they’re doing well. I was just as excited to see them as they were to see me. They have the opportunity to come out and do some stuff to get ready for the season, and they were really excited.”
McKenzie and the Polar coaching staff hold a weekly Zoom call for the team at 3 PM on Thursdays. But as we all know too well, video chats are just not the same as meeting in person.
COVID crisis aside, our city was completely turned upside down after the murder of George Floyd by a policeman. Many of the students who attend North live near Broadway, an area that suffered from rioting and attacks from malicious groups.
“I went to the (George Floyd) memorial and I patrolled over the North community, helping protecting businesses,” said Willie Wilson Willie Wilson 6'2" | CG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN , stud junior guard for the Polars. “This was all just really new to me. Not black people being killed by police — we know that’s been going on — but protecting my neighborhood safely while still trying not to get COVID-19.”
On a personal note, I teach at Henry High School, North’s rival school in the same neighborhood. McKenzie and I both talked about how worried we were for our students during the Minneapolis Riots, and how refreshing it was to see everyone back together again.
“We communicated with our kids,” he said. “We talked about it. As I’ve asked my kids how they feel, a lot of them have said that it happens so much that they feel helpless. We have had discussions about it, and this is why this is so important. I do a check-in every morning on our group chat, but now we are back together in-person and communicating, making sure we’re all okay.”
Wilson and CJ Brown were familiar faces, returning from last year’s starting lineup. But another benefit of finally being able to meet as a team is welcoming new players into the group. Impact transfer Andre Gray Andre Gray 6'4" | SG Mpls North | 2021 State MN — ranked #9 overall in Minnesota’s 2021 class by Northstar Hoops — was working through his first experience as a Polar.
“They just moved into North Minneapolis, and we’re glad to have him,” said McKenzie of Gray. Gray averaged 8.5 PPG last year for Hopkins, and would have been the top returning scorer there. “He’s a good basketball player who will bring a lot of leadership. I’m glad to have this time to have him with the guys — he’s going to bring a lot.”