For most students, Wednesday is just another day of the week, but for the boys’ basketball team, Wednesdays are especially “wonderful”.

Every Wednesday, the Eagles basketball team does intense running and cardio to get in “basketball shape”. This weekly tradition started upon the arrival of head basketball coach Russell Perkins.

“It’s extremely hard for everyone,” varsity wing, David Davis said. “Usually at least three people throw up every week.”

The workouts change every week; sometimes they consist of ball handling drills or shooting, but they always have heavy running.

Every Wednesday, the boys are on the look out to see if coach Perkins is wearing his Syracuse shirt. If he is, the basketball team does the Syracuse workout, which is undoubtedly the hardest workout of them all. Basically, it consists of two groups on opposite baselines alternating running to various lines on the court. But by the time they do the Syracuse, the boys are in pretty good shape.

Another challenging, but not as difficult, workout comes every half day. Practice is outside on these days, and the Eagles run nonstop until the period is over.

“Coach Perkins just loves to watch us suffer,” Davis jokes.

Even though the workouts can be brutal, the players like to view them light heartedly; they even made “Wonderful Wednesday” shirts to wear at practice. While these workouts may be the last thing that the Eagle players want to do, it gets them in great shape and prepares them for the season to come.

“I enjoy watching them get through it and get through it together,” Perkins said. “The way they encourage one another and the way they get stronger is fun to watch.”