CRESTVIEW — Juggling games and practice while studying for semester exams can be challenging, but Crestview High School student-athletes had coaches' support.
Okaloosa County high school students took tests Jan. 11-14, according to CHS's website. While many students enjoyed early-release days, that wasn’t the case for CHS girls basketball teammates.
So Bulldog Coach Kathy Combest said her staff did everything they could to help prepare players in the classroom and on the court.
“We have late practice at 2 (p.m.), so instead of our girls going home, we (tried) to get them a snack and set up our team room as a study area,” Combest said. “We can get in there and pull out every test they are going to take.
“They get out (of school) at 11:20 (a.m.) and the boys will practice, and then we will practice, so that will help us. We will study while the boys are practicing.”
Combest said most of her players want to attend college, so coaches kept the girls focused on their studies.
“Usually, your athletes, whether they are going to play college ball or not, do have the desire to be a college student,” she said. “You really have to do as much as you can to help them."
Balancing exams and ball is even more daunting since all but two CHS players are in honor classes.
But student-athletes have no shortage of support, Combest said.
“If they wrote a paper, I might type it while they are working on something else — just something to help them out. We help as much as we can.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High coaches help student athletes make the grade