STA players courting winners among the less fortunate

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional High school in Hammond Falcons’ thrilled fans with a magical run this basketball season, winning the District 10-2A title and advancing to the state semifinals in Lafayette before falling to Newman High School of New Orleans.

But perhaps the Falcons’ greatest success this season will not be measured in wins and losses but in the smiles from the disabled youth with whom they shared their Sundays.

For nearly two months in late fall, the STA players volunteered at the TOPS basketball program at Chappapella Sports Park in Hammond, teaching less fortunate children how to dribble, shoot and pick up on some defensive techniques. The wife of Falcons coach Romano Andrews started a TOPS soccer program five years ago and in the fall launched the basketball program.

“The foundation of the program is providing all athletes with a buddy, so I asked my players if they could commit to the sessions, and they were all excited to be a part of it,” Andrews said.

The players said they were eager to share up to two to three hours on Sundays to help the youngsters, ranging in age from five to 11 years old. Along the way the players and young kids  also forging unexpected but memorable relationships.

Players were paired with at least one buddy, with some having two to three buddies. All of the youth have some type of disability, ranging from being confined to a wheelchair to autism.  

“We showed them different things so they don’t feel like they are less than others. We still want them to have fun, like they can do it, because they can,” senior Devaki Williams said.

“It was a great part of your weekend,” said STA junior Darrius Vaughn. “I didn’t know they would get that attached to me but it made me feel good. I appreciated them more than they appreciated me.”

“I was looking forward to seeing my kids,” he added. “That is as close we had gotten.” 

Relationships quickly formed, hearts touched to the point where each visit became much more than a few dribbling drills. 

“It makes you appreciate what you are blessed with,” Williams said. “At any given moment you see people who are struggling and it kind of catches you off guard. 

“These (young kids) want to be like us. It makes you to just be appreciative of what you are blessed with.”

All of the young people became Falcons’ fans but one young boy, who is autistic, became a favorite. The players taught him to shoot and although it took him a month to make his first basket, once he did so he began making two or three in a row. 

“He was excited,” sophomore Kendrell Perry said, adding that they fulfilled another of the young person’s dream when they held him up so he could dunk.

The youngster became the Falcons most ardent fan, to the point where he attended every game, followed them on the playoff trail and had made plans to attend the state tournament in Lafayette.

He would hug the players and tell them he loves them. During games his voice could be heard from the bleachers, encouraging and supporting his new heroes.

The players would watch his face light up, as he recorded every moment from his tablet. 

“We talked to him before game and after every game,” Perry said. “We realize where he’s sitting during the game.”

“I feel like showing him that attention, we have been a vessel of God,” Vaughn said.

As the months wore on, word quickly spread on social media and around the school players were being looked upon as heroes. But Vaughn said that was not the purpose.

“We were doing it out of the kindness of our heart,” he said. “The kids really learned from it. When the program ended, those kids hugged me tight, like I was their father, they didn’t want to leave. It really touched my heart. That made me feel good.”

Andrews watched with pride as his players mentored children who face incredible obstacles, who are never able to run the floor on a fast break or hit a pull-up trey.

“Sitting back and watching my athletes bond, care for and learn to focus on their similarities was amazing,” he said. “They truly cared. Their aim was to make that session the best part of that kid’s week.”

“I cannot speak more highly of them and their character,” he added. “They appreciate their blessings in life and took advantage through this program to share those blessings with individuals who unfortunately are not always afforded the same opportunities. 

St. Thomas principal Tania Woods admittedly had difficulty putting expressing the pride she has for her student-athletes.

“I truly feel it’s a win-win situation; they learn from each other,” she said. “Our students are positive examples in and out of the classroom.”

“You never know who is watching you,” she added. “Doing right and doing something good even under these circumstances speaks volumes to our students’ character.  

“They are reflective of the profile of a STA graduate.”  

Williams said the experience has helped him confirm his personal goal of one day opening a shelter for the homeless, for children with disabilities, for the needy. 

“I want it to be like a home setting, for them to be treated like they are at home and not like a stranger,” he said. “Treat them like a human being.”

Vaughn said the team has taken great joy in seeing what the players whom they mentored were able to accomplish.

“I feel like we are accomplishing something good, as a team, as a program,” he said.