story by Cassie Florido, photos by Menley Brennan and Caroline Fiss

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Thousands of seats surround the court. The video board reads “Sprint Center” in bright, yellow lights. The large, wooden court gleaming as the lights shine down on the surface. Cameras look down on the court streaming the game live. The DJ fills the arena with loud music. Fans scattered around the arena preparing to cheer on their team.

Cheerleaders and members of the team line up to form a walkway. The announcer begins the starting line ups.

“The home team, the St. Teresa’s Stars.”

The STA student section rises to their feet as shouts of “Go Stars” ring out.

One by one the announcer reads out the STA starters. The teams have one final huddle and prepare to play on the biggest stage for basketball in the state of Missouri.

As the ball is tipped, everything goes away.

Ten players on the court. The same as at STA.

Four quarters. The same as at STA.

Two goals. The same as at STA.

One ball. The same as at STA.

Instead of worrying about playing in the Sprint Center, the focus now turns to a simple basketball game.

Freshman player, Ryan Wilkins says that in order to calm her nerves all she had to do was to listen to her coach and not worry about the crowd.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, STA defeated Lincoln College Prep 58-27. The game was one of the eight games featured in the Time Warner Cable Showcase sponsored by Metro Sports.

This was the first time a high school basketball tournament has been held at the Sprint Center since opening in 2007.

“It’s very impressive to go to a facility like [the Sprint Center],” athletic director Mark Hough said. “I would have to say it’s as cool as playing in the State tournament.”

Hough says that STA was able to get a spot in the tournament because of the close relationship the school has with Metro Sports due to STA being a host school of the Hyvee Shootout.

A game that was previously scheduled to take place at STA on Jan. 28 was moved to Jan. 21 in order for STA to be a part of the tournament.

As the game began, the Stars jumped out to a quick lead. The Stars’ offense proved to be too much for the young Lincoln Prep team.

With the sharp shooting of freshmen Eleanor Lueke and Grace Kitts, the Stars gained a 19-0 lead.

The Stars’ defense, forcing 11 turnovers in the first quarter, was able to hold the Tigers scoreless until 1:57 left in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter the score was 27-3.

In the second quarter, the Stars kept the pressure on and only allowed the Tigers to score 2 points, coming from junior Annie Dewberry.

Going into halftime, the Stars had a 33 point lead, leading Lincoln Prep 38-5.

After a slow start in the beginning of the game, the Lincoln Prep team came out of halftime with a 10-0 run.

However, with the efforts of Kitts and senior Becca Lueke, who combined for 10 points in the third quarter, the Stars were able to regain momentum to close the quarter.

As the Stars were in command of the game in the fourth quarter, head coach Chance Stephen used the opportunity to give young players the chance to play in the Sprint Center.

“It was a great opportunity for some young kids to play and everyone to get the experience,” Stephen said.

The Stars defeated the Tigers by 31 points led by Kitts with 11 points and senior Maggie Jo Rellihan with 10 points.

During a press conference after the game, senior players Rellihan and Becca Lueke commented on their experience of playing in the Sprint Center.

Lueke said that it was an honor being in a big stadium and getting an opportunity to play in front of a lot of people.

“I would have never guessed that I would be playing in the Sprint Center in front on tons of people,” Rellihan said.

When asked if it was hard to adjust to the depth perception of the Sprint Center, Rellihan said usually they play with a wall in the background, but after awhile she got used to it.

Going into the game the team was 4-12 after a tough schedule which included eight of the top ranked teams in Kansas City.

Lueke believes that playing against these hard teams will get them ready for Districts.

Stephen said after the game that he is happy for the girls after their performance in the Sprint Center.

“We have had some ups and downs this year, but it’s a good opportunity for these kids to come out here and play in the Sprint Center and play on a holiday,” Stephen said.