HHS Softball: 1 win, 12 losses. HHS Volleyball: 9 wins, 14 losses. Hancock-Bayless football: 2 wins, 8 losses. Cross Country: Zero medals at the Hancock Invitational. It’s no surprise that HHS teams struggle to win despite their hard work and effort.
Regardless of these records, a HHS softball athlete, Phoenyx Johnson (10) doesn’t let the team’s record define her.
“Losing always sucks,” Johnson said. “But once you lose so many times in a row you kind of just become immune to it. I guess what helped me was not getting my hopes up about winning which sounds cynical but, it was the only way it helped me.”
For the softball team, the losses were constant, but so was Johnson’s commitment to the game.
“I kept playing because I enjoy the sport,” she stated. “Sure there were times I questioned whether it was worth spending two hours at practice just to face losses, but I made a dedication to the team and my coaches. It felt unfair to leave them hanging.”
For Johnson, it wasn’t about the scoreboard. It was about the game itself, the chance to be on the field, even if the scoreboard didn’t always reflect her and her team’s effort.
“What I enjoyed most about the season was getting off that bench,” she said. “Last year I was 9 times out of 10 on it so leaving it and getting to play was the best part… I didn’t even care about winning or losing, I was just happy to be on the field with my teammates enjoying the sport,” stated Johnson.
Despite the losses HHS athletes face, Athletic Director Mr. Steve Kelly says losing can be a good learning experience as teams come together to face adversity.
“When teams experience tough losses, they often learn more about themselves and develop a stronger bond,” he said. “Grit and determination can lead to a comeback, not just in scores but in team spirit. Every game, winning or not teaches athletes important lessons about responsibility, teamwork, and resilience. It’s not just about winning; it’s about growth.”
Kelly also recognizes that continuous improvement is important to become great.
“Teams must reflect on their performances, even after tough games,” he said. “We encourage coaches and players to identify what went well and what needs to be addressed moving forward. The focus is on the journey from day one of practice to the end of the season. Progress is what matters the most.”
Kelly believes that building a strong sports culture begins with participation.
“We need to get more students involved and committed to their teams outside of the regular season,” he emphasized. “If our athletes put in the work, the wins will follow.”
When discussing the lack of participation Hancock Sports faces, COVID-19 was the key factor. Kelly claims that the pandemic
has extremely affected athlete involvement.
“After the 2019-2020 season, we saw a drop in participants as many students shifted their focus to other activities,” he explained. “Rebuilding those numbers has been challenging, but we’re slowly working back to where we were before.”
When asked about competing against bigger schools in the future he recognizes the challenges but stays hopeful about the future of Hancock sports.
“It will take time, effort, and commitment from both coaches and players to elevate our programs,” he explained. “Winning isn’t an overnight success; it requires dedication, especially in the off-season.
Kelly remains dedicated and supportive of our athletes regardless of the scoreboard.
“I think our athletes do a great job of realizing that at times the wins and losses aren’t what it’s all about. Hancock athletes themselves have done a great job of just keeping themselves in the game and not giving up even during a tough season, ” he shared.
