AHS basketball members open homes, court for international competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
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."