by Breeanna Jent on 2014-01-14
Spending countless hours together both on and off the basketball court leaves a lot of room for teammates to start thinking of each other as family. That's how Grand Terrace High School's (GTHS) girls basketball program has come to see each other - and when each of the three basketball teams pulled together to donate gifts for the holiday season to the families of two varsity teammates, it was evident the girls looked at each other as more than just fellow basketball players.
Varsity players Ashtyn Bray and Julia Lewis were struggling with difficulties; Bray, a junior, had lost her mother in October to heart complications after a June 2013 heart transplant, while Lewis, a sophomore, had a 10-year-old stepsister, Kaitlyn, who was battling leukemia. Senior varsity captain Sabrina Castorena, learning of Bray's recent loss and having been close with the Lewis family for many years - father Jim Lewis had coached Castorena since her time in recreational basketball, wanted to show the girls how much they meant to the team. She came to varsity head coach Johnny Vasquez with the idea to hold a toy drive and donate gifts to the two families for Christmas.
"He said, 'Go ahead, senior. Take charge,'" Castorena said. She brought her idea then to senior teammates Raja Woods and Diamond Guillen and the three began planning. "Since I'm older, I know how much (Christmas) means to little kids. I talked to the seniors, the leaders of this team, and we decided it was a good idea."
The seniors brought the junior varsity and freshman girls basketball teams in on the plan, too, making sure everyone promised to keep the donation a surprise to both Bray and Lewis. The three teams were responsible for collecting and donating an equal amount of toys to each child in the family - Bray has two younger siblings: sister McKenna, 11, and brother Michael Jr., 7; and Lewis's stepsister Kaitlyn. The teams also purchased gifts to give to their teammates Ashtyn and Julia.
"It was very beautiful," said Michael Bray, Ashtyn's father. His children received dolls and other toys. "It really shocked me. It was [so] nice."
The holiday donation was followed by a playful scrimmage game and a program Christmas party - with a little Christmas tree, too.
"Everyone loved the looks on the kids' faces when they opened their gifts. It was touching moment and we all were open arms with hugs," Castorena said. "That day our team was closer than ever."
"This is one of the closest-knit teams I have seen at the school yet," said Jay Strowger, who photographs the team. "It did not surprise me that Sabrina put this all together. We have known her for a few years now and she is a very caring person and she cares so much for all the girls on the team."
"This was awesome. It shows that it's not just about basketball, but it's about building an experience of giving back," said varsity head coach Johnny Vasquez. "To have these girls think about their teammates in need was a special moment for this program."
Castorena, humble as ever, insisted it wouldn't have happened without the cooperation of the program as a whole. "I did this for these kids because I can't imagine what they're going through. They needed to know they have nothing to worry about with friends and family. I'm really proud of my team for doing all this; I know they feel just as proud of themselves as I do."
[END]
From Sabrina:
Thanks.
Well where do I start. One day I found out about one of our teammate Astyn (grade11) whose mom had past away. I knew she had young siblings (6year old brother and 8year old sister) and had to step up and take care of them. The other teammate that was selected was Julia (grade10). I have known the Lewis family since I was little because her dad was my basketball coach from rec. ball. I knew what was going on in his life. His step daughter (age 10) has cancer and was trying hard to fight for her life. One day I woke up and said I want to make thier chrismas better. Since I'm older, I know how much it means to little kids. So I told coach Johnny and told him my idea he said go ahead senior... take charge. So I talked to the seniors, the leaders of this team, and we decided it was good idea. We told each team, Freshmen, JV and the other Varsity team members. Except for the two teammates we were doing this for. we told teams and they loved the idea as well. I found out what each kid like print it out on paper and handed it to each team.i divide each team so each kid had same amount of gifts so no one was left out. I also had little gifts for Julia and Ashton that team help get them. So they got somthing out of it and not just their sibling.everyone loved the looks on kids faces when they open their gifts. It was touching moment and we all were open arm withs hugs. That day out team was closer then ever. After that we had little scrimmage and had small Xmas party with food and laughter. I know I did the right thing and glad to make someones chrismas. I donate toys to toy drives but that's many it. I did this for these kids cuz I can't imagine what their going threw but what I do know is that need they need to knoe they have nothing to worry about with friends and family. I didn't want this project to say we feel sorry for them. Yes we do but that wasn't the idea the idea was to make their chrismas.
Sabrina Castorena
Senior
Playing since 6 grade
(909) 5191697
I really don't want like taking all credit I don't like taking credit for good deeds I just wanted this for them not me. I'm really proud of my team for doing all this I know they feel proud as much as I felt in them selfs.specially freshmen I hope to show them to do kind things for one another and leave a memory of what I've done and what they can do to as well. Kinda want it to be point to not just me but my team :)
====================================================================
From Jay Strowger:
The one thing i would like to say is.... This is one of the closest close nit teams i have seen at the school yet. After every practice, they all stand in a circle in the middle of the gym and they talk about the practice they just had. They go around the circle and each team member adds a little something of their own to bring a more meaningful addition to how practice was conducted. It means more to hear how they did from each team member than to just be told how they did by a coach.
It did not surprise me that Sabrina put this all together. We have known her for a few years now and she is a very caring person and she cares so much for all the girls on the team.
No. I am not the coach. The coach is Johnny Vasquez. I just help with pictures. His number is (951)203-5944.
The father of the little girl with cancer is Jim Lewis (909)213-3513.
Now for the Aunt of the kids who lost their mom. I got these two numbers...These should be to the Aunt. (909)236-0211 & (909)246-8394