Truman High School Girls’ Basketball Team Competes Against Team from Ireland

by Lorri Giovinco-Harte

Coaches Clancy and Burke and their teams

John Burke, coach of the girls’ basketball team at Truman High School was raised in Naas, a county town that is located in Kildare, Ireland. Over the years, he has kept in contact with Joe Clancy, the man who had been his coach for several years in Ireland. Together, they arranged an opportunity for Clancy’s St. Mary’s girl’s team to come to the United States and play two games against Truman’s Lady Mustangs.

Clancy, his team, and several family members came to New York for a week’s time in order to see the sites and play against Truman. The Naas team seemed to have a great time and to really enjoy meeting the girls from the Bronx. Members of both teams formed friendships and camaraderie despite hailing from places that are thousands of miles away geographically.

The trip culminated in two games. The games were played at Harry S Truman on March 26 and March 27. Some of the girls from Naas showed surprise at the size of Truman. “It’s much bigger than our school,” remarked Caroline Hill, “and it’s very nice.”

As the game began, student spectators from Truman High School began to cheer for the Irish team. “They were worried that the other team wouldn’t have enough support,” explained Truman’s Principal, Sana Nasser. “They took it upon themselves. We never asked them to do that.”

Both teams displayed great showmanship and dedication. The team captains and coaches handed out awards and plaques to the two teams in a show of affection and gratitude. Even Principal Nasser and Assistant Principal DeSantis were given awards for their participation in the event. Shelly Behan, the captain of the Naas team explained that it was the “love of our sport” that had brought them all together.

While the Lady Mustangs’ outscored the Naas team, the St. Mary’s players proved to be skilled ball handlers. Their ability to pass the ball around the court was definitely helpful in keeping the Lady Mustangs on their game. Truman’s Lady Mustangs defeated the St. Mary’s team, 54-41, in what proved to be an exciting battle of offensive strategies and defensive tenacity.

What stood out the most, however, was the ability of both teams to transcend cultural differences and find common ground through the sport. In the long run, it is not the game that will be remembered but the friendships that they forged.