For homeschool students and those who attend smaller schools, getting involved with sports can come with some challenges.
The Lady Saints are a Christian-based group of high school and middle school girls that are either homeschooled or attend small schools without basketball programs and still want to enjoy the competitiveness of sports.
Coach Andy Vecellio believes this program is a great opportunity to bring young ladies together to have a purpose while learning about life through sports.
“Part of it that I wanted to do, and it was my mission from day one, is I wanted to create a competitive high school basketball environment for these young ladies. By doing so we are pulling in and tapping into the local community,“ Vecellio said.
The group has received a lot of support from local churches and schools, who allow them to use their facilities for practice. Tim Dickson, a local parent, says bringing his daughters out to practice gives them a chance to bond and work together.
“People always talk about homeschoolers never being able to socialize, but here you are. You know you learn a team just like anywhere else. You learn how to homeschool and be with each other and find ways to work around your difficulties,” Dickson said.
Players on the team like junior Sabrina Hepner have been with the team since the beginning and have enjoyed meeting other children in the community.
“I think it's really fun. It gives everybody a good chance to just kind of get together and play the sport that they love. Everybody grows from year to year. So, it's just a really good opportunity for everyone,” Hepner said.
Coming into this season Vecellio is looking to see increased skill level throughout the year. He also wants his team to show care for opponents that you sometimes don't see in sports.
The Lady Saints officially begin their season in October. For more information on how to sign up for the team, you can contact Andy Vecellio at 325-301-2400.