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More Than Just A Team

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By Ellie Guffy

The word “bonded” would be a serious understatement to use when describing what happened to Dalat’s varsity girls basketball team during this year's ACSC tournament. The countless hours spent strategizing, exploring, singing and laughing together allowed all 15 of its members (or 14 ½ as Coach Davis put it, being that he wasn’t able to join us on the trip), to experience a new, candid version of each other. 

Between the night market trips, exotic meals of fried crickets, and smoothie runs, the trip is one I’m confident will not be easily forgotten, especially by Sharon Kang (12). “I had at least one smoothie day,” she says, “and when I didn't have it I would talk about it until I got one. The smoothie trips bonded me with the rest of the team and made me appreciate Bangkok a lot more.” 

Scouring for burnt trash next to a nearby clinic, as apart of our service project, helped strengthen the connection between the team and showed us what we were really there for. Gathering with the other teams to worship and pray at the end of the day allowed us to look beyond the games and compelled us to appreciate the small moments in-between. Though winning games was certainly a priority, serving others and worshiping together served as a needed reminder to refocus our minds on what truly matters. 

The daily game debriefs, self-care sessions, and late night talks made the pre-existing connection we all shared even deeper. Riding the highs and lows together while being pushed to the brink of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion allowed us to become vulnerable and rely on one another for needed support. “One thing I love about our team is how close we are and that definitely showed during ACSC,” says Joycelyn Fung, a senior on the team. “I don't think we would've made it as far as we did if it weren't for the support we had for each other. Constantly cheering both on and off the court, we pushed ourselves through early mornings, injuries, and tough games with the team in mind.” 

By the sound of the final buzzer, the impending end was near; we all knew our time was up. While huddling together, we shared one singular thought: I wish it hadn’t ended so soon. Despite the eventual parting, each one of us retreating back to our familiar groups, we will always carry these memories with us. The good and the bad, the brilliant and the ugly, this experience will always be ours. Basketball has left an impact on all our lives - we will never forget this adventure. 

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