Although the sports scene is still a bit funky with everything going on in the world, we are at least in a new year with much to look forward to.

Sure, the first half of this year will probably look the same as the second half of last year. Who knows at this point? We could be in a similar scenario next January. But let’s not think like that and move forward with optimism.

I am optimistic, not fake optimistic, either, I really do feel that by mid year things will be back to normal or pretty close to it.

So, starting with winter, here are a few things that I am looking forward to in 2021.

Starting with the basketball season, this is one of my favorite times of the year.

Bishop Hendricken was playing with a chip on its shoulder last year and won the Division I Championship with a largely new starting lineup. The Hawks seemed poised to return to the state championship and win it, but of course, the pandemic took that opportunity away. Hendricken has a few of the same faces, including Sebastian Thomas who enjoyed a breakout year last year. I am excited to see what Hendricken will do.

I’m also quite excited for Cranston East basketball. The Bolts had one of the youngest rosters in the division last year and missed the playoffs. That usually does not set up a compelling story the following year, but I am intrigued with this team considering how many young guys they have. It will probably be next year that they truly return to being a contender, but I am always interested in seeing the rise of young squads.

I am also, I would not say looking forward to, but am interested in seeing how swimming plays out this season. It is going to be virtual, with competing teams recording scores online simultaneously. As much as I am disappointed in the lack of fans, I am interested to see how this works and if maybe that can broaden our capabilities moving forward. Nothing will ever compare to a normal packed pool with fans, but maybe establishing a virtual system will help teams and give them more opportunities to perhaps face other schools that they would not typically see. Just a thought.

I’m looking forward to football, very much so.

Football is set to begin in the third season which will take place in March and April. Nothing is set in stone, but it’s looking that way.

Football is my favorite sport on all levels, whether it be watching, playing or covering. Fall certainly did not feel the same without it, but regardless of the time of the year, I will be excited when it finally returns. Friday night lights are Friday night lights regardless of the time of year.

I’m hoping to see unified sports get back at it during the third season as well. I have always been quite vocal about how I feel about unified sports. They provide an outstanding opportunity for kids to feel included and to interact while involving sports. Doesn’t get much better than that, and it looks like they’ll return during the third season.

I’m also excited to see middle school sports return this winter. As of now, things will get started in late January and teams will play an abbreviated season.

Of course, that’s not ideal, but nothing is with this pandemic. What I enjoy about middle school sports is the development of players prior to high school. I know, I know, not many people pound the table for middle school athletics. But I do, and I am happy to see that they are on the verge of returning after being cancelled altogether in the fall.

Back to high school, I am very much looking forward to the upcoming spring season.

As we all know, the spring season was cancelled last year. We never got the chance to see our baseball and softball teams compete, or lacrosse, outdoor track, boys volleyball. There were greater things happening last spring, but I like many of you felt a little unfulfilled missing out on that final season.

This spring is actually going to be fascinating in my opinion. Sure, many kids played in travel leagues, summer programs, continued to train throughout the year, but many kids did not so it almost feels like every team is starting from scratch. I’m not sure if there will be a positive or negative ripple effect this spring, but I guess we will see.

Side note: There has also been some chatter about potentially making wrestling an outdoor sport for the spring, which I am totally for. I actually covered a few outdoor wrestling events during my time in Maine, and everyone from the competitors, to the coaches and fans loved it. It can get hot at times, especially on the mats, but it was quite the sight to see. With the proper precautions, it is more than doable.

In terms of summer sports, last season actually turned out to be relatively close to the norm. Kids had to wear masks and the seasons were shorter without travel, but that was right around the time that we emerged from the months of isolation.

However, there is nothing like the state Little League tournament and the regionals and beyond. I’m not sure if by July and August we will be in a place where we can make that happen, but I am rooting for it and will be ecstatic to welcome it back if we can. Summer can be a slow time of year for sports, so having the Little League tournaments to keep things moving along is a great tradition that was missed last year.

More than anything though, I am looking forward to having sports and not having to deal so much with the “will we, won’t we,” that we had to for most of last year.

Nothing is a sure thing and the numbers are still uncomfortably high, but we now have experienced sports during the pandemic, have put systems in place, and have a greater idea of what it will take to keep things afloat.

This winter season will likely be the toughest challenge yet considering the indoor factor, but I honestly see things changing fast as we enter the spring and summer months. We will be back outside, have even more systems in place, and will hopefully have a vaccine that works and is helping slow the spread.

I’m not saying that we are out of the woods, I’m not saying that anything is for certain. We have to continue to abide by the rules and regulations and keep our guard up. However, we are in a new year, and each day is getting one step closer to normal. We have plenty to look forward to, let’s not forget that.