Varsity sports are often defined by who starts and who scores, but behind every team is a group of players whose contributions don’t show up on the stat sheet. So-called bench players said their success comes from their motivation to stay ready even when playing time isn’t guaranteed.

 Girls’ Varsity Basketball guard and forward Morgane Massard ’28 knew what to expect when she joined the team.

 “Coach Kindyll Dorsey asked me to try out, and she told me I wasn’t really going to play, but I knew I wanted to be on the team for the experience and to get better,” Morgane said. “I can’t expect too much during my first years, but now I’m playing more, so it’s good that I started earlier.”

 Morgane used the opportunity to observe and learn.

 “It is a bench player’s role to hype players up and be supportive,” she said. “You never know when you are going to come off the bench. It’s important to make sure you know what’s happening, if they are in a zone or man defense, so you know what to do if you go in.”

 Morgane’s patience paid off.

 “You spend a lot of time practicing, but don’t always get to play,” she said. “It’s hard, but it is very rewarding. I stuck with it, and now, I get to play more.”

 Girls’ Varsity Hockey forward Grace Stafford joined the varsity team during her sophomore year.

 “The first year, I was only put on the ice either while we were winning by a lot or losing by a lot,” she said.  “It was still nice to be a part of a varsity team and experience the culture. I don’t do any other varsity sports, so it was nice to see what that higher level of commitment and sports looks like.”

 Grace’s contributions often came through her energy and encouragement.

 “I know that I still have a role on the team, even if I’m not playing,” she said. “You have to cheer on your teammates and make sure everyone else is feeling good.”

 Boys’ Varsity Basketball (BVBB) guard Aiden Ashaye ’28 joined the team sophomore year.

 “Basketball is my favorite sport, and I’ve been playing since eighth grade,” he said. “I had an injury boot, and I didn’t even play on the A team, but I always wanted to be on varsity. I liked the team, the culture and the competition level.”

 Even when his role was limited, Aiden said he found meaning on the team.

 “The most rewarding moments for me are getting to play and show love for my teammates when they are doing well. We all have to contribute to the team.”

 Before finalizing rosters, BVBB Coach Rich Morantus makes expectations clear.

 “If there are JV kids that really want to be on varsity, I’ll have a conversation before putting them on the team, just letting them know that they’re not going to play,” he said. “Everyone has a role that adds to the culture of the team. Cheering on the guys, talking with the coaches and being a good teammate are all really important.”

 Coach Morantus said being a player is also about the practices.

 “In practice, I’m coaching the guys who don’t really get to play just as hard as the other guys who play a lot,” he said. “They really make a difference if they can challenge the other guys, so we push them all to help us get better. We want them to be just as confident because they matter to the team, and we want to see them improve.”

 Coach Morantus sees sports as a way to teach life skills to his players.

 “I always use basketball to learn life lessons. Having a good work ethic and mental toughness, that goes past players playing here at BB&N. It’s really important that they grow as young men, and that is my goal: to build them up as good people.”