Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye newspaper
Sports can often times bring out the best in people.
Other times sports can bring out the worst in people.
And once in a very great while there is a special moment, a priceless, unforgettable event that transcends the game.
One of those moments came Tuesday at Father Minett Gymnasium.
Notre Dame High School senior Lexi Korschgen had not played a single minute of a game this season. Korschgen suffered a torn ACL during soccer last spring and had surgery May 30 to repair it.
Korschgen rode the bench during volleyball season, her senior season as setter wiped out.
Korschgen didn’t let the injury stop her from being part of the team, yet she longed for one last moment on the court with her teammates, a bit of closure on what has been a time which has been more emotionally painful than physically.
Notre Dame girls basketball coach Corey Stephens and Danville coach Matt Morris put their heads together and came up with a way to make Senior Night one Korschgen, her family, teammates and friends will never forget.
On the opening tip-off, Notre Dame got the ball. With Korschgen alone under the basket, her teammates passed her the ball. She laid it in, a broad smile crossed her face and a loud cheer went up from the crowd.
It was a moment Korschgen thought had passed her by. It was one of the best times of her young life.
“It meant so much to me to have my team with me, especially with the long recovery,” Korschgen said. “I couldn’t ask for a better team and coaches. They’ve been amazing with everything, helping push through and strive. I only have a month left. I couldn’t have done that without them.”
Korschgen found out just before game time that she was in the starting lineup. She rushed out to the court to tell her parents, John and Kim Korschgen, and her grandparents, Rita and Roger Donovan the exciting news.
Lexi Korschgen was about to get the moment she had been longing for.
“I found out in the locker room right before the game. (Stephens) had it all drawn up how I was going to go all by myself and have my teammates out there with me so I could shoot a layup,” Korschgen said. “I was so excited. I went out and told my grandparents and my parents because they mean the world to me. I wanted them to also feel the moment because I know it’s also been hard on them not being able to see me play.”
As the ball swished through the net, Korschgen got a hug from fellow Nike senior Addison Reid.
And then she was hit by a tidal wave of emotions. All the feelings pent up over the last nine months came pouring out.
One by one, Korschgen’s teammates hugged her. And with each succeeding embrace, more and more tears streamed down Korschgen’s face.
“I’ve been so grateful to have such a great support system with teammates and family by my side through it all,” Korschgen said. “It’s been difficult. I’ve been dealing with it with my best friend and having my parents and friends with me. They are my support system. I just want to do it with them. I know I can’t play, but I try to be the best cheerleader on the bench.”
Stephens and Morris stood by and smiled, enjoying the unforgettable moment they helped create for Korschgen and her family. It was something both coaches wanted for her.
“I just suggested her getting the tip and holding it, but he suggested her scoring. Kudos to him and his team,” Stephens said of Morris. “She hasn’t been able to play. She comes to all of the basketball functions. She’s at every practice. She’s at all the games. She’s one of our best cheerleaders. She got cleared for drills, but she can’t have any contact. I talked to Matt (Monday) and we worked it out where she could score the first couple points for us. Then I got her out. It’s something I wanted to do for her. She’s there for everything.”
Morris was more than happy to oblige Stephens in helping create a special memory for Korschgen, even if it meant giving up the first two points of a game Danville needed to win to get second in the South Division.
“I talked to Corey (Monday) and I said ‘Heck yeah,’” Morris said. “He just wanted to do the jump ball. I said, ‘Let’s get her a shot. She’s earned that.’ Great kid. I have a ton of respect for those kids, Corey and their program. Just a small gesture by us. I know for a fact if it was turned around Corey would do the same for us if we had a kid in that situation. Nothing but respect there.”
Korschgen plans to major in health sciences at the University of Missouri in the fall, reuniting with her older sister, Abby.
Korschgen is expected to get cleared for all activities in a month. She is excited for soccer season, which begins March 17 with the first day of practice.
“I’m so excited for soccer, to be with my teammates and best friends. I can’t wait to come out and play the sport I love and do what I can for the glory of God,” Korschgen said. “I’m going to go out and play the best I can and praise Him in all I do, no matter the outcome of the games.”
So while basketball may be just a game to many, don’t ever tell that to Korschgen. Her Senior Night is one she will never forget.
“There were so many emotions,” Korschgen said. “I was just so happy to finally get to play on my home court my senior year.”