What a year.

You could say that Perry sports had a little bit of a down year compared to that of last year’s.

The boys’ basketball team was unable to repeat and make it to the playoffs. Basha (ewe) took us down in football. Boy’s and girls’ soccer had high expectations, but limited success. And the girls’ softball team got shut down early in the playoffs.

OK, it’s not as bad as it seems. I mean, does being more successful than the previous year really define a “good season”?

Please do not be an ignorant by-stander and say yes to that.

Above the boys’ basketball team not making playoffs was the play of junior guard Jordan Howard. He’s a junior that averaged the second highest points per game in the state.

Above Basha taking us down in football was the outstanding play from soon-to-be seniors that will be lacing up their cleats for our team next season. The team made it to playoffs, but was shut down by a familiar opponent in Chaparral.

Above the girls’ softball team not going deep in the playoffs was junior Laynee Gomez hitting four points away from .500. She’ll also be back next year.

The point I am trying to make is this: Perry has many returning athletes that will all contribute to next year’s success, regardless of what happened this season.

You see, the thing that many have yet to realize is that Perry has yet to pass the 10 year mark since inauguration- three years and some months away to be exact.

These things take time. We can’t all resemble the 2001 Diamondbacks who won the World Series after just three years of existence.

But how does Perry get over that hump? We can only be young for so long until expectations shadow our success.

Look at Chandler High. We are as good (if not better) than them in every sport (OK, their track team is pretty fantastic and their football team is nothing to joke about).

Chandler high first opened its doors well before our teachers were all born; so the fact that our sports teams had a winning record against theirs this year is quite astounding.

However, Basha is undoubtedly our rival; and our wrestling, boys’ volleyball, and baseball teams absolutely owned them this year.

Hamilton? Well, we’ll wait a few years on them.

Quote me if I’m wrong (cliché that should not be taken seriously), but next year’s sports should not be questioned, much less doubted.

Yes, many outstanding players will be leaving via graduation or scholarships, but many outstanding players will also be returning to make next year the year that defines Perry High School sports.