News>AHS basketball members open homes, court for international competition
Photos
Aviano High School team members shake hands with their opponents from Rijeka, Croatia after a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano basketball players and their families welcomed the Croatian team into their homes as part of a cultural exchange program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
A Croatian player scores against the Aviano High School men’s basketball team during a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The team from Rijeka, Croatia visited Aviano from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, and bonded with the AHS team while playing basketball and touring the base and area with their host families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
Zachary Erskine, an Aviano High School senior, dribbles down the court during a basketball game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano basketball players and their families welcomed the Croatian team into their homes as part of a cultural exchange program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
A Croatian player catches a basketball during a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The team from Rijeka, Croatia visited Aviano from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, and bonded with the AHS team while playing basketball and touring the base and area with their host families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
A Croatian player attempts to score against the Aviano High School men’s basketball team during a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The team from Rijeka, Croatia visited Aviano from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, and bonded with the AHS team while playing basketball and touring the base and area with their host families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
Elijah Smith, an Aviano High School senior, dribbles down the court during a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano basketball players and their families welcomed the Croatian team into their homes as part of a cultural exchange program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
A member of Aviano's High School basketball team looks on as a point is scored by a Croatian player during a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano basketball players and their families welcomed the Croatian team into their homes as part of a cultural exchange program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
Tim McNeely, coach for the Aviano High School Basektball Team, speaks to his players during a timeout at a game Dec. 1 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano basketball players and their families welcomed a Croatian team into their homes as part of a cultural exchange program. McNeely has been a coach at Aviano since 1974 and has worked for 10 years with Croatian coach, Robert Jucokvio to make the program a reality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)
by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/5/2012 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Aviano High School basketball players and their families welcomed a Croatian team into their homes and onto their court for a weekend of culture and sports from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.
The team from Rijeka, Croatia visited Aviano for the first time, bonding with the AHS team on and off the court. During their three-day trip, they played three games, including one against the Vicenza Army Garrison High School team, and spent the rest of their time touring the base and surrounding area with their host families.
"They stayed in our homes and we really bonded. We are friends now," said Elijah Smith, starting guard and AHS senior. "We've gotten a great ... rare opportunity to learn someone else's story."
While audience members expect there to be tension between players during a game, most could tell the competition during these games was friendly. According to the players, the camaraderie between them was tangible, even though they were playing against one another.
"On the court, we'll talk together, pick on each other a little bit. We've already got nicknames for each other," said Andrew Bert, starting point guard and AHS senior. "They're very cool and very friendly."
Their Croatian counterparts agreed, adding that it was a great experience to play against the Americans and experience a different culture.
"We've gotten to spend a lot of time together and we have made new friends with these cool guys," said Dino Vidnar. "We enjoy traveling around the world to meet with other people and we have a lot of beautiful moments and beautiful memories with these people."
Tim McNeely, Aviano's coach since 1974, has been working with coach Robert Jucokvio from Rijeka, Croatia for the past 10 years to make this program a reality.
"The most important thing [for the players] was to meet these kids and gain a cultural experience," said McNeely. "Of course we're going to get basketball games out of it too, but this was a different cultural experience for them and it was very valuable."
Jucokvio highlighted that the purpose of the program was not just to improve the athleticism of his players, but to introduce them to a different way of life.
"It's not just about the sports, it's about connecting people," said Jucokvio. "This is a very good experience for us."
