This month, Wayside: Eden Park Academy kicked off basketball season for the Eagles.

Led by Coaches Leland, Welch and Lankford, Eagles Basketball is a coed team made of fifth graders. The team practices twice a week in the Eden Park gym, and primarily plays private schools in the area, along with rival Wayside: REAL Learning Academy.

For some players, Eagles Basketball is their first time playing a competitive team sport. In addition to layups and free throws, they are learning lessons about teamwork and the importance of practice.

“I’m really into working together with other people,” fifth-grader Walker Fischer said. “I’ve never played real basketball before, other than in P.E., so I’ve learned a lot this year.”

The players say joining the basketball team has made them closer with their classmates, and they now have an easier time communicating and working together.

“I like that it’s a team game and it takes a team effort to win,” fifth-grader Ja’Niyah Anderson said.

The Eagles play at Austin Sports Center, in South Austin. For some, playing in front of a crowd can be daunting, but the Eagles are learning to relax and enjoy the games.

“I was really, really nervous at our first game, but now that we’ve played a few, I’m excited for them,” Anderson said.

The Eagles coaches have also noticed the players’ newfound confidence.

“Many of the students have never played basketball before so seeing them be such risk-takers and try something new has been incredible,” Coach Julie Lankford said. “They’ve become much more confident in themselves and better communicators. They interact with students that they normally wouldn’t interact with. It has also taught them a lot about empathy and what it means to be supportive of one another.”

Some lessons are a bit tougher for the Eagles. While they await their first win this season, the players are also learning the importance of perseverance, and not giving up.

“I like falling down, because it always makes me tougher,” fifth-grader Max Foery said. “Even though we lost our first two games, I still had fun playing with my teammates.”

Currently, both Eden Park Academy and REAL Learning Academy play in the same league. Once Wayside: Altamira Academy adds its first fifth grade class next school year, they plan to join the same league as their sister schools (currently they offer both 3rd and 4th grade basketball teams).

Eagles Basketball games run until February 8. For the full schedule, click here.