Medford, Ore.– North Medford High’s J.V. Point Guard, Brian Schireman, said news of a possible strike scared him. The school district talked about cancelling all sports if a strike were to take place.
“We work really hard at it we wouldn’t want the games to get taken away from us especially the seniors, for seniors it’s senior season,” said the point guard.
The district says some 90-percent of phone calls from parents this week, voiced concern over athletics.Friday a different decision fromthe school district said sports will continue. Varsity Coach Scott Plankenhorn said it’s good news.
“Kids seem upbeat they’re ready to play basketball and they’re ready to go to school and do whatever they have to do.”
Brian Schireman said he agrees and can’t go a day without a dose of basketball.
“I’m always out in my backyard shooting always playing around with my friends we’ve just been playing basketball our whole lives we love the game.”
Coach Plankenhorn said North Medford boys will not be affected because the coaches are not part of the union, but several girl’s coaches are. He’s ready to pick up the slack.
“We’re taken care of for coaching our season and doing what we’re supposed to be doing. But if we stepped in to help our girl’s teams practice at times and help practices that just us volunteering.”
Extra time Plankenhorn said he doesn’t mind if it means keeping kids like Brian Schireman in the game.
Middle school sports, music, and theater will be cancelled if a strike does happen. All volunteers must be certified coaches which means they have to have certification of skills.
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