LHS basketball team shares the holiday spirit

Whether it is in the classroom or on the basketball court, Lakeland High School teacher and coach Trent Derrick urges his students to do what they can to make a difference not only their community, but throughout the world.

“I try and do different things to raise consciousness in the community, both local as well as globally,” Derrick said.

As part of that ongoing effort, Derrick recently approached a fellow teacher and asked if she knew of a family the basketball team could sponsor for Christmas. She told him about a family in their own school district who needed some extra cheer this Christmas season. When Derrick heard the story he knew he and his players had to help.

When Derrick shared the story with both his junior varsity and varsity basketball players, the teams learned about a third-grade boy who has lost his sight, his speech and his ability to walk. There are inoperable tumors growing inside his brain and there is nothing his family can do other than to cherish each day not knowing what the next one will bring.

The young men were deeply moved and wanted to help.

“It opened my eyes,” said Lakeland High junior Austin Black. He said the players agreed that they never realized how much they each take for granted. “We are very thankful for what we have.”

“It was a reality check to not take things for granted,” said senior Scott Carr.

Derrick is impressed with how the boys stepped up and were so willing to help out.

“I’ll never forget the first time I talked to the team about this,” he said. “One player raised his hand and said ‘Coach, this is a really good thing that we are doing.’ “

Carr said although the team has sponsored a family in the past, this is the first time they were able to meet the recipients of their gifts, and it touched him to see their reaction.

“They were very grateful and appreciated it a lot,” said Carr.

The family expressed to Derrick that they hold onto hope and that each day that they are able to share with their son is a blessing.

“His (the young boy’s) mom told us it was a real gift to be able to have Christmas with their son this year,” said Derrick.

Derrick did not make participation in the project mandatory, but invited each player to be a part of it. He set the target at $200 and when all was said and done they had raised double their goal.

The team presented the gifts to the family of four on the last day of school before Christmas break.

“He (the young boy) wanted to touch our faces as we spoke to him,” said Derrick. The boy’s hearing is very good and according to Derrick, the boy said thank you in sign language several times.

But the lesson learned for these high school boys is not limited to what they can do to serve others. They also realized that by doing so they too are rewarded.

“It makes you feel good to do things for others,” said Carr.

The memory of the gift of a very special Christmas that they gave a little boy will stay with these kids for a long time.

“We were so grateful that the family was willing to let us be a part of their Christmas,” said Derrick. “I think it was incredibly meaningful for our kids.”

Black said he was humbled by the experience and voices the sentiment that is felt throughout the team. “It was a privilege for us to do this for the family,” he said.