LAKEVILLE – One thing is certain, LaVille’s Lady Lancer basketball team has gained an “international” reputation.
The team returned this week from a week long mission trip to Costa Rica through an organization that is sending a lot of local teams overseas as ambassadors. Score International has helped several local teams on trips in the past – notably Plymouth High School’s wrestling and boys and girls basketball teams – and they were the facilitators for the Lady Lancer’s trip as well.
Team members Jessica Tuttle, Mallory Vernon, Aryn Eash, Haley Berger, Lindsey Aschenbrenner, Nina Sajdak, Haylie Cox, Shelfie Zeiger, Kelsey Aschenbrenner, and Julia Hall, joined their coaches on a trip that taught them a lot about basketball, and themselves.
“Our leaders were Terry and JoAnn Enget, a missionary family living in Costa Rica,” said Lady Lancer Head Coach Corey Duncan. “They were wonderful and the players absolutely loved them. Coach Sarah Amor and I took 10 Lady Lancer basketball players.
“We got to meet and help a family with 45 children, help a pastor in a poor community by grocery shopping and handing out food to the people, and gave lots of love and attention to children in many daycares throughout the country.”
One of Duncan’s players approached her with the idea early in the spring and that set the ball in motion for what would be a life changing trip.
“When Aryn Eash approached me about taking the team on a missions trip, my response was ‘definitely’,” said Duncan. “I really wanted the team to grow closer and also realize how other people in the world live. I wanted them to be grateful for all they have in their life. The fact it was a sports ministry trip and they got to play basketball was a bonus.”
The local style of basketball caused some “culture shock” initially.
“It definitely took time for the kids and coaches to adjust to the international rules,” said Duncan. “The 25 second shot clock, no live ball time outs, four to ten minute quarters, and the 3 point line was about 2 and 1/2 feet further back to name a few.
“I did see some growth from the players,” said Duncan. “I saw two players, Shelfie Zeiger and Haley Berger, step up and play really well on the offensive end. All the players had to be rough as it was a physical game with not many fouls called. I got to see who was gritty and tough.”
Away from the game was where the real growth took place.
“The players became very grateful for the parents they had and the life they live,” said Duncan. “It was neat to see how the girls reacted and then hear what they said about each place we went.”
The lessons weren’t just for the players.
“I also feel like I learned as much if not more than the kids did,” said Duncan. “And also feel very grateful for all I have in life. Missions trips are so good for everyone to experience, and I hope what we all learned sticks with us for the rest of our lives, not just in the moment or for a week or month or year.”
One thing is certain Lady Lancer basketball will be known in Costa Rica. The girls also got some airtime on Costa Rican TV when a crew from a local TV station showed up with a camera crew when they found out a team from North America was in town to play the local girls.
“It is tough to truly describe the feelings we all felt, the memories that we made and all of the lives that we impacted in such a positive way,” said Duncan. “To learn more about the trip, the Lady Lancers have a Facebook page (Lady Lancer basketball) and the players wrote updates for their family and community at home. I am very proud of how all 10 girls represented themselves, their school and their community.”
