This is a printer friendly version of an article from the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Posted with the permission.
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May 11, 2009

Basketball players visit young fans

For the Daily Tribune

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- They just can't get enough -- basketball, that is.

The Assumption boys basketball team paid a visit to Our Lady Queen of Heaven School. The boys were waiting on the playground when the recess bell rang.

The kindergartners were the first to play basketball. Hannah and Libby Lamp thought it was great to have their brother Alex Erdmann on their playground.

Another child said, "I can't talk to Alex Erdmann! He's famous!"

There were a couple of second-grade girls who wanted to meet Matt Turba but were a bit shy. First-grade teacher Mandy Turba took them by the hand and introduced her brother to the girls. "See, he's nothing to be afraid of," she said.

Even the swings were put to use. Noah Trickey had a line of first-graders waiting to swing with him. Tag, a game the high-schoolers haven't played in years, was reintroduced to them.

"Man, they really run fast. I had to really hurry to catch them," said Sawyer Kniprath, kindergarten.

As the bells rang for the end of recess, the halls were full of excited chatter. "Maybe they will come back to play with us again!" "Do you know that I met Matt Turba?" "Is the girls basketball team coming?" "That recess totally rocked!"

Earlier this month, Gary Weisenbeck, AHS Varsity Boys Basketball coach visited the second grade. He had brought the second-grade class an autographed basketball. He was touched with the congratulations cards he received from the class and wanted to reciprocate the good feeling. The students were in awe of having him come into their room and speak with them.

Having the basketball team at the school showed the children how much the team members care about the community. Families have supported the Royal Basketball team all year. They even followed them to Madison for the state tournament. The importance of sharing across the generations is very important to communities like Wisconsin Rapids.

Contributed by Pamela Fochs, principal, Our Lady Queen of Heaven

Children play basketball with Assumption players at OLQ. (Contributed photo by Cheryl Zimmerman)

Jared Jochimsen and Jacob O'Shasky play basketball together at OLQ.