Montserrat National Team Coming to Southern Ohio

[Dave Shoemaker]

This has been mentioned briefly in another thread by Coach Lisath, but I thought I'd let everyone know what's going on. The Montserrat National basketball team will be arriving in Ohio on October 20th for a week of games and other activities and events. Montserrat is a tiny island in the Caribbean that has suffered major damage from a volcano that has erupted off and on since 1995. I first became involved with them that summer, right before the volcano erupted for the first time. I held clinics on the island and that eventually led to me becoming their national coach. We played in some tournaments, including the Bob Cousy Tourney in Boston, but due to the increasing volcanic activity I couldn't return until this past summer (the volcano had destroyed their capital of Plymouth as well as their only airport, but a new airport has been constructed). The island is getting back on it's feet now, and because of this I was invited back. The government there feel like the kids of Montserrat need to be involved in something positive and basketball is a great way to make that happen.

Myself and one of my former players at Paint Valley, Josh Anderson, went to the island in August and held a camp there. The government was expecting 30-40 athletes and we ended up with almost 100. While there we also chose a national team from the older group of players. All this led to a government approved trip to the USA. Only a couple of the players have ever been off the island or played on an indoor court (Montserrat has only 1 outdoor court) so this trip is going to be a huge deal for them. Several schools, businesses and organizations have stepped up to help out by donating vans to travel in and hotel accomodations, as well as several families volunteering to provide dinner for the team.

Anyway, below is our schedule for the week. Everything is open to the public and all are welcome. As I said, it's a pretty big deal for these guys and they'd be thrilled to have some people show up at their games.

Thursday, 10/21 - Piketon HS. Coach Lisath has invited us to an open gym to get some time on an indoor court before we play an actual game. We'll be there at 6:00 PM and Coach has generously offered to feed the guys afterwards.

Friday, 10/22 - The team will be a part of an assemby at Paint Valley at 9:30 in the morning, and we travel to Ohio Christian University at 7:00 PM for a game.

Saturday, 10/23 - We'll be at Rio Grande for a game against their JV team at 6:00 PM.

Sunday, 10/24 - We're at OU-Chillicothe to play the Hilltoppers at 2:00 PM. Coach Jason Smith is asking everyone to bring a pair of gently worn athletic shoes to donate to the country of Montserrat. Admission will be $4.00 with $2.00 going to Montserrat.

On Monday we're touring Ohio Stadium (the guys are going to be amazed) and we're going to OSU basketball practice at 3:00 PM. On Tuesday we're traveling to Morgantown to watch a West Virginia practice.

Anyone who'd like to help out in any way can contact me at [email protected]. For more information on the team you can go to http://montserratbasketball.blogspot.com/ .

Thanks to everyone who has helped so far. I guarantee it's for a great cause.

Shoe

[The Flying Dutchman]

Dave, Are you related to Kevin and Mick ?

[Dave Shoemaker]

A couple more things I should mention:

There will be a few under 18 players on the team that would love to play HS basketball here in the states, and if you watch them you'll see they can play. Assuming the details could be worked out according to OHSAA guidelines they'd really help somebody.

There are a few of the over 18 players who I believe could be an asset to a small college program. If there are any coaches willing to give them an evaluation stop in at one of our games and take a look.

Finally, we're selling Montserrat Volcanic t-shirts at all events with proceeds going to Montserrat Basketball. The money will be used to buy shoes, nets, and other basketball related items for the island. You can either pick one up at one of our games or email me to order one directly.

Thanks!

[Dave Shoemaker]

Dutchman,

Yes, Kevin and Mick are my first cousins. We grew up together, were neighbors, and I played basketball with Mick at Paint Valley. Kevin was a couple years ahead of me. I just talked to Mick a couple days ago in fact.

[alabama mike]

We need a moderator to stick this thread at the top for all to see.

[JIMMY THE GREEK]

Great to hear the team is coming to the "Oven"....I'm sure Coach Lisath will make it a special night. "The Greek" will be there for sure!

[Purple Cobras]

I know Coach Shoe has put a ton of time & effort into this. Buiding relationships is one thing Dave does as well as anyone I know, so I'm sure this Tour will be first-class all the way. Intersting notes on the younger players as well...it is important to show these kids some genuine Southern Ohio hospitality, maybe one of them will return to your town...? Good luck Shoe & everyone get out & support The Volcanics!!!

[Dave Shoemaker]

Here's what the t-shirts look like if anybody's interested. As I mentioned, you can buy one at a game or order one from me. The proceeds go to Montserrat Basketball for nets, shoes, rims, air pumps and other items they need on the island.

[chef_piketon]

The Chef will roll out the Red/Gray carpet for these welcome visitors to beautiful southern Ohio. Should be a fun night! The Chef has The Oven sparkling with the new floor!

[Jeff Lisath]

Dave,

We are looking forward to this! Thanks for thinking of us, the Montserrat kids will get some real nice gifts as well as the dinner. I'm dusting off my "Original Chuck Taylor's" so I can play a couple of games...I mean a couple of trips up and down the floor...LOL!

[Dave Shoemaker]

Coach,

I think the Piketon visit will be a real nice kick-off for the Montserratians. It will give them a chance to meet some nice southern Ohioans as well as giving them a good start on their visit here. I appreciate you guys having us and look forward to coming down.

[LetsGoPSU]

awesome thing that you have done, good luck with the logistics and I hope everyone has a wonderful time!

[Dave Shoemaker]

I just got a call from Coach Tressel's office. The team has been invited to meet him and the rest of the Buckeye's at the Woody Hayes facility before we go to the OSU basketball practice. Great gesture by coach.

[Dave Shoemaker]

More news. The game at Ohio Christian University will be streamed live on the internet so those on the island of Montserrat with the technological capabilities can listen in. That'll be a big deal down there for sure.

[Dave Shoemaker]

I want to give a big thanks to everybody who has helped me out with this. So many people and businesses have stepped up to lend a hand to the Montserrartians. Here's the list so far, not including all the people who have bought t-shirts:

Knisley Pharmacy of Chillicothe
Pat McCallister and Comfort Inn of Chillicothe
Nourse Automall
Triple Crown Sports
CNK Sports of Circleville
Ohio Christian University
University of Rio Grande
Jeff Lisath
Jason Smith & Ohio University-Chillicothe
Eric Zint & The Greenfield Corner Pharmacy
John & Shannon Brauner
Phil & Rosalie Satterfield
Dan & Lisa Easterday
Steve & Sheila Madru
Karen & Army Armstrong
Ralph & Kathryn Shoemaker
Kristy & Josh Anderson
Marianne Miele
Joe Litter
Martin Litter
Mike & Sara Darbyshire
Spencer Bradley
Sam & Pam Toppins
Mark & Deb Younge
John & Teresa Vennamen

These people and businesses really have nothing to gain by helping out a little island in the Caribbean, they just did it because they thought ut was the thing to do. I can't thank them enough.

Hope to see everybody at one of the games.

[Dave Shoemaker]

A big THANKS to Jeff Lisath, his team, and the good folks at Piketon for the warm welcome they extended to my team and friends from Montserrat. It was an amazing thing to see - the Caribbean meets Pike County. The players respected each other and got along tremendously, and we had a great time eating together after the open gym. Just a great experience for my guys, and I hope it was for Jeff's as well.