Tucker Estep Hasn’t let COVID Bring Down his Final Season

Center and forward for the Watonga boy’s basketball team Tucker Estep seemed to be looking at only the bright side of his final season.

With a winning record so far, Estep says the team is doing great, especially after having made it into the Class 2A top 20 rankings. They boys sit at 9-3 on the season and are ranked No. 19.

However, the team relied on many contributions from players, and Estep said that his contribution has been “bringing it” in practice and in games.

When trying to pinpoint some of his notable accomplishments, he couldn’t pick just one as he views every win the team has had as being notable.

He and the team share one notable goal, however, and that is making the state tournament.

“All of my personal goals are team goals, to make it as far as we can in the playoffs,” Estep said.

Like with any school athlete, schoolwork is a factor in these students' lives, and having to balance both school and the basketball season hasn’t been a problem for Estep.

“So far it has been pretty easy, other than having to make up work on tournament games,” Estep said.

This year, COVID-19 has been a factor at the forefront of many things and it has had its effects on the basketball team.

The season has gone well up until recently when Estep said some players had were inflicted with COVID-19. Despite these setbacks, he hasn’t let that get to him and stays optimistic about it.

“It was going well for us until recently. We had three [players] test positive and had to shut down. Better now than when playoffs roll around,” Estep said.

Estep seemed to have gained the ability to stay positive from his father who he said he draws inspiration from.

“[My dad] let me know at an early age that I'm not immune to a good buttwhooping when it comes to sports,” Estep said.