Making it to the 2018 BC Summer Games is hard enough, but when injuries and scheduling conflicts further decimate your team it can be hard to keep pushing forward.

That鈥檚 what happened to the Zone 4 girls 3x3 basketball team when they took the court at Ecole Mt Provost with no subs.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been mentally tough,鈥� explained Alina, whose daughter Anita plays on the team. 鈥淏ut I feel it鈥檚 better for them to learn this lesson early in life. What an incredible experience.鈥�

Before the game, Anita, Kayla and Mai proudly braided their hair and it became clear the girls are at the Games to lift each other up, according to the BC Games Society. They dribble, pass, defend and drive to the basket with all their heart.

鈥淭he changes to the team were a little hard to digest at first,鈥� shared Mai鈥檚 mother Nagisa. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to get easier though. This learning experience is unique.鈥�

A fourth teammate, Mariana, watched from the sidelines, unable to compete due to a concussion.

鈥淚 suffered a concussion before the games and couldn鈥檛 compete,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I needed to be here to support my team.鈥�

These challenges have brought these families together and bonded them through a common experience.

鈥淣agisa and her family are camping at Lake Cowichan during the Games so we visited them last night,鈥� Alina told the BC Games Society. 鈥淲e roasted marshmallows, watched deer come and go. It鈥檚 special to be here on the island. I鈥檓 always so relaxed when I come here.鈥�

As Lorene watched his daughter Anita on the court he smiles with pride. 鈥淚 played basketball growing up in Romania,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a family sport with us. The game requires fast decisions, teamwork and balance. These are great life skills.鈥� Clearly this BC Summer Games has imprinted itself in the hearts and minds of these resilient athletes.

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