Perkins is 3-0 in tough stretch, including an upset victory over SBC leader Edison

The rough winter has wrecked havoc on the local sports scene.

As inches of snow were dumped on the ground, and temperatures dipped into the negatives, many schools had to postpone their games and scramble to get those games in.

One school that's currently feeling the effects of our rough winter is the Perkins boys' basketball team.

The Pirates went almost two weeks without playing a game due to the weather, and now, thanks to makeups, are currently in the midst of a five games in an 8-day stretch.

Not even NBA teams go through that type of schedule. But, the Pirates are, by necessity.

"It's kind of like an NBA schedule, which is alright," said Perkins coach Scott McVeigh, who is currently in his seventh year at Perkins and his 14th year of coaching overall. "This time of year, the kids would rather be playing games than practicing anyway."

So far, the Pirates are 3-0 in their grueling stretch, which includes an upset victory of Sandusky Bay Conference leader Edison at home on Saturday.

The stretch started with a home win over crosstown rival St. Mary Central Catholic which was won on a half-court shot by Adam Tinker. After beating Edison, Perkins dominated Oak Harbor, 71-42, in a rare Monday game.

The good news about the game vs. the Rockets was that McVeigh was able to rest his starters in the fourth quarter because the game was so one-sided.

"Thursday and Saturday, I didn't have the opportunity (to rest starters), so I'm glad I had the chance to (Monday) night," McVeigh said. "Now, I'll give them the day off (Tuesday) so they can get their legs back a little bit, then we'll get ready for Huron (on the road Friday)."

Playing on a Monday night was weird in itself, according to McVeigh.

"It definitely lacked the atmosphere that you're used to having when you play on a Tuesday or a weekend," he said. "But we told the kids that, regardless of where we play and when, when we take the court, we've got to be ready to play. (Monday), they were definitely ready to play."

Perkins will hit the road this weekend, going to Huron and then to non-conference foe Shelby. Then, the Pirates have games next Wednesday, Friday and Saturday again.

"It's been kind of a weird year with all the cancellations and the weather," McVeigh said. "We haven't played some teams in the league yet, like Port Clinton and Margaretta, and we're already at the end of January.

"It's different, but you've got to go with it and be flexible. As it is, we're only at Game 10, so I think we're just ready to hit the court and play some games."

What Perkins and some of the other schools, like Oak Harbor, are dealing with is similar to what baseball and softball teams go through at the start of their seasons. Invariably, the weather in March is rainy and snowy, and teams don't get to practice outdoors until the first game of the season sometimes.

By the time those teams get outdoors, they just can't wait to hit the field and play. That's what these basketball teams feel like after doing nothing but practicing while the weather outside has been frightful.

"When you go two straight weeks without playing, practice becomes monotonous," McVeigh said. "It's good that the kids can finally get out there and play."

The good news is, thus far, the Pirates are playing probably their best basketball of the season through this stretch.

"We've playing really well and confident through this weekend, and I'm glad we can continue to play rather than sit for a week," McVeigh said.