Hoover sports will finally play their first competition this week, beginning with the girls’ and boys’ varsity water polo teams competing against Arcadia High at 3 p.m. on Thursday at Arcadia. 

The boys’ water polo team will have three other games in March. It will play Burbank on March 11, Crescenta Valley on March 16 and Glendale on March 18 in its only home match. The girls’ water polo team will play Crescenta Valley on March 16 and Glendale on March 18, as well.

“I’m really grateful that my team is getting a chance to have games this year,” said Malia Batista, a freshman on the girls’ water polo team. “Since I know there are a lot of other sports that don’t get to. I also feel like it’s a good experience for me and other new members on the team.” 

The girls’ volleyball team will also play on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. against Arcadia on Arcadia’s campus. The girls’ volleyball team will play Crescenta Valley on March 16 at Crescenta Valley High.

The Hoover junior varsity football team has two games scheduled. It will play Crescenta Valley at Hoover on March 19 and will be at Whittier Christian on March 27.

“I feel very happy and hyped up,” said Vaghinak Sakanyan, a sophomore on Hoover’s football team. “Being able to play your favorite sports after a long break will always feel good.”

The Tornado baseball team has the most games on its schedule with six games scheduled in March. It will play a home doubleheader against Cesar Chavez on March 20, Mark Keppel High School twice (on March 24 and March 26), Flintridge Prep on March 27 and San Gabriel on March 30.  

The boys’ and girls’ cross country teams will be competing on March 20 at a time and date to be determined.

“I just don’t feel it’s the right decision to compete right now,” said Garo Kahwajian, a senior on the boys’ cross country team. “With all the changes made to the races it just doesn’t feel the same, and I don’t think it’s the safest decision because this virus can spread even faster.”