![Walking through the tunnel created by the cheerleaders and Celebrities, senior Frances Tran smiles as the soccer team is sent off during DEN for their playoff game against Rouse tonight. Tran said the wins against Smithson Valley and Alamo Heights gave the team a morale boost to take on the Raiders tonight. “I know we were not 100% confident in those games,” Tran said. “But, Rouse is a big opponent for sure. We’re definitely going into tonight with a lot of morale [because of the previous wins].”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/frances-tran.jpg)
![Holding a bucket of materials in one hand and a roll of tape in another, anatomy and biology teacher Tyler Terry prepares for a lab. Terry said his proudest moments are when his students are happy to see him. “When I take my wife to a football game or something and a bunch of students want to say hi to me or they like to smile and wave and it just makes me feel good that the students are really kind and supportive of me,” Terry said. “[I’m also] proud when I see students perform really well in their extracurriculars because I can see how hard they’re working in my classes, [so] when I see that they’re also working so hard in other things. Like they’re winning band competitions or they’re getting awards for their theater productions, or I see them put on their choir shows, that’s like, wow, you guys are incredible.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rags-6.png)
![Catching a ball, junior Alivia Robinson plays at the Cedar Park vs Glenn game. Having played since she was 5 years old, she is dedicated to softball and has committed to UTPB for softball. “When I got my offer it took me a very long time to decide where,” Robinson said. “Softball has always been my dream for college, and UTPB is my fit. When [I committed] I knew I was going to be loved and supported.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lilly-Adams-3.13aliviaedit-901.jpg)
Sophomore Success
Basketball Starter Discusses Making the Varsity Team as an Underclassman
Sophomore forward Jacob Swoboda leads a fast break on Jan. 28 at the game against Glenn. Swoboda was on the freshman team last year and made the jump up to varsity this season as a starter. “It is a lot different because the speed and strength is much greater, but over time, you adapt to the way the game is played. I have to make sure to stay focused throughout practices and games,” Swoboda said.
February 10, 2020
It is a rare occasion to see a sophomore tear it up as a starter on a varsity sports team, but look no further than Jacob Swoboda. Swoboda made the leap from a freshman starter last season, a season in which he averaged 16.8 points per game, to a varsity starter as a sophomore this year.
“A lot of hard work and hours are necessary to get to this point,” Swoboda said. “You have to make a lot of sacrifices if you want to be able to be successful at a school with a lot of amazing talent.”
Swoboda has been playing basketball since the age of five, all-year round, and according to him, non-stop. The school basketball regular season runs November – February.
Swoboda said finding out that he would not only be on varsity this season, but a starting forward, was a great experience for him.
“[It was] definitely a big jump finding out I would be on varsity,” Swoboda said. “But with the support of my coaches and teammates, it made the transition so much easier.”
Swoboda attempts find a lane on Nov 11 at the game against Round Rock.
The freshman team runs the same type of offensive scheme as the varsity team does, Swoboda said, however, the plays become more elaborate and complex at this level.
“I have adjusted to varsity basketball by now,” Swoboda said. “It is a lot different because the speed and strength is much greater, but over time, you adapt to the way the game is played. I have to make sure to stay focused throughout practices and games.”
Not only did Swoboda have to adjust to the way this team plays, but he has to make sure to not get confused about which team he’s playing on because he also plays in a select basketball league that runs March-July. In his select league, the players are separated by age and grade level.
“School ball is a lot different than select basketball and they both have their individual benefits,” Swoboda said. “I enjoy playing on both because they each present new challenges you have to work hard at. For school [basket]ball, there are a lot of upperclassmen who have more years of varsity experience, which presents different challenges.”
In order to maintain his current status as a varsity starter, Swoboda said he has to make sure to work hard every day.
“Consistency is very important to play on varsity and you have to be focused throughout the season,” Swoboda said. “My goal for this season is to keep on winning and hopefully make a deep run in the playoffs. I think we have a great chance this year and if we keep on working hard we can do great things.”
The team currently sits at 23-5 and 8-1 in district play on the season. Last year, the Timberwolves made it to the third round of the playoffs where they fell to Manor. The team hopes to go even farther this season
“We have played well all year and if we keep on playing hard for each other I think we can make it very far,” Swoboda said.
![Catching a ball, junior Alivia Robinson plays at the Cedar Park vs Glenn game. Having played since she was 5 years old, she is dedicated to softball and has committed to UTPB for softball. “When I got my offer it took me a very long time to decide where,” Robinson said. “Softball has always been my dream for college, and UTPB is my fit. When [I committed] I knew I was going to be loved and supported.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lilly-Adams-3.13aliviaedit-901-600x400.jpg)
