SLEEPY EYE, Minn. -
One local basketball team traveled to their game, and didn't make it home as they'd planned.
The high school girls basketball game between Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial at St. Mary's of Sleepy Eye started without an issue. Then halftime came and parents started to be concerned about the weather. Visibilities deteriorated and the snow picked up throughout the second half. By the time the game had finished, roads were being closed in the area.
But this misfortune turned into something much better.
"I just want to thank our parents for their willingness to help us out last night and helping Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial kids out as well" says Bruce Woitas Head Coach at St. Mary's
The parents hosted the opposing team overnight due to the dangerous conditions. "We all live in town so we just opened our houses to help them out because if we were in Lake Crystal, that's what we would want them to do for us" said Maddy Helget, 12th grade at St. Mary's.
The generosity was not only limited to opening their doors, it became almost like a party. "We do own the grocery store in town, we own Schutz Family Food so that made it a little easier, we just ran down and got some food for the families that were hosting" said Mackenzie Schutz, 12th grade at St. Mary's.
Many saw the opportunity as a weekday sleep over. "It was like a giant sleep over, it was so much fun" said Autumn Johnson, 12th grade at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial.
Sleepy Eye parents didn't even hesitate to host the opposing team. "Seemed like a really nice bunch of kids however and quite frankly, everybody worked together and went off quite well" says Jerry Neubauer, Principal at St. Mary's. The host families were very inviting. "It's kind of like having sisters I guess, I've never had one" said Mariah Salfer, 11th grade at St. Mary's.
And they appreciate the hospitality. "Definitely a great place to be stranded" said Becca Norgren, 11th grade at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial.
The girls don't compete often. "We normally play them once a year" said Heather Lee, 12th grade at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial. The next time they play, they will view each other as friends, rather than competitors.
Head Coach Todd Wiens of Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial said, "There were a lot of girls and I think they made a lot of friends last night and very nicely done."
The outcome of the game did not matter. Instead, lasting friendships were made.
