Long layoffs

Santa Catalina held its first basketball practice Monday in 14 days. Stevenson hasn't played a game since Dec. 19.
Arguably the two best girls basketball teams in the Mission Trail Athletic League meet Wednesday.
A lot will be at stake for two squads that will have 48 hours to get reacquainted with themselves.
Granted, no one is going to feel sorry for two private schools with boarder students. Perhaps it's better that they face each other first.
But if you know this problem is going to exist each year, why not play the game before the Christmas holidays?
That way the game isn't mired by the expected rust that will be on both squads. And playing it earlier would give each team four days after the holidays to reclaim that chemistry before getting back on the court.