THE FIGHT OF #181: A USA GIRLS TRIALS JOURNEY TO GREATNESS
By LaQuita Thompson
Colorado Springs – Every once in a lifetime there is a special human being who carries the power that inspires an entire generation, not because that was their specific goal in life but simply because they were chosen. They have a sparkle in their eyes, a magnificent smile, a joy that makes you tingle inside, and the warmth of an angel. Well I would like to introduce you to jersey #181. The world doesn’t know her yet or been captivated by her electricity, but we had the pleasure of meeting her during the USA U16 Girls trials this past weekend. Her name is Rylee Langerman. She attends Christian Heritage Academy in Oklahoma where she is a member of the girls basketball team. She also plays club Summer ball with the Oklahoma Swarm. She stands 5’8″ and her position is a point guard.
She’s a fighter on and off the court. She plays with intensity not because a coach has instilled this attitude for basketball but because she lives her life just like that. You immediately notice her on the court and her skill abilities as a player. She attended the USA girls trials in Colorado Springs for the first time and she made it through to the final 37 players! The quote that states “SUCCESS is a journey and not a destination” stands true with Rylee. I had an opportunity to interview her and I was moved by her passion and her will. For four days she competed and never gave up. DETERMINATION describes her attitude. One of my all time favorite movies is ROCKY because of that same determination that lived inside of him. Rylee is a fighter. She’s a competitor, a hard worker and she’s gifted beyond measure.
USA basketball holds an open girls trials annually allowing, sometimes, hidden talent to get an exposure opportunity of a lifetime. Rylee’s eyes brighten and her smile widened when I asked her what it would mean to represent her country. It seems to be every young girl’s dream. Rylee displayed great strength and perseverance on the court. She can shoot, finish through contact, she can handle the ball, she isn’t afraid to attack the paint, and she has good court vision. These all reflect her ability to handle pressure while staying focused on the bigger picture. She was excited and honored to be present. She took in every moment and learned so much to take back to Oklahoma. I’ll never forget the saying “without a test there’s no testimony.” A perfect visual of this is Rylee. I am looking forward to the impact she will have on the game and in young girls’ lives across the country. To watch my interview with young Rylee Langerman click the following link: https://twitter.com/xheat/status/868637996534423552
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