SL7 Down Under – Holiday Time

Dear friends, family and everyone else in lovely Houma,

It’s Sumar again.

It’s Wednesday afternoon here in beautiful Australia. You will read this Wednesday morning your time when Casey publishes the story to the website. By that time, I will be asleep and marching toward Thursday morning.

We last spoke in late March. At that time, we had played two games and were 2-0.

Guess what?

We’ve now played FIVE games and are 5-0.

Yes, we’re playing amazing basketball right now as a team, and we’ve continued to get better and better as the season has gone along.

Right now, we are the only team still undefeated in the Big V – Division I, and we have a one and a half game lead on first place.

On the floor, I’ve been pretty good, though I’m working EVERY day to get better. Right now, I lead the league in points per game and steals per game, and this past week, I earned a place on Big V’s Blue Carpet for the third-straight week. Blue Carpet players here are those who are the players of the week in all of the different levels of play in Victoria, Australia’s basketball structure.

I’m blessed to have had some success, but I owe it all to my teammates, coaches, support and, most importantly, to God.

We are off this coming weekend for Easter Holidays, and will be back the weekend after that.

Here’s to hoping that I have some more good news to give you all when that time arrives.

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Off the court, I’m staying busy, as well.

Here in Australia, kids get off school two weeks for Easter, so our basketball organization has been busy hosting camps and workouts over the past several days to keep kids busy.

The kids here are pretty special. They all work really hard and want to get better. People here love basketball. I’m told the sport isn’t too old here, but the people sure do enjoy it, and the kids play lots of it here – both in youth leagues, but also in camps.

See, that’s what I love about Australia, and that’s one of the things that make me most proud to be here in this part of the world.

In Australia, the children are put first … in everything.

There’s NEVER a time where a child is afforded the opportunity to be stagnant.

Here, there are countless programs that encourage kids to play basketball, netball or whatever else he/she is interested in.

On top of that, there are numerous volunteers and coaches on-hand to make sure that everyone is able to compete.

That is something that I will miss about Australia, because it’s not like that at home.

In Houma, there are some fine programs for kids to play, yes. But it’s not anything like it is here. Here, it’s non-stop, 24/7 and ALL kids are given the chance to stay active at ALL times.

It’s pretty awesome.

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Anyway, outside of life in the gym, I am mostly just relaxing and spending a lot of time to myself.

By day, I go to some restaurants and cafes that I’ve grown attached to (the food is excellent), and by night, I watch shows on my computer and/or write some thoughts that are in my head.

I told you guys this last time, but my real safe haven is our beach.

There is nothing in the world that I enjoy more than sitting on the beach – my legs in the water, listening to the waves come ashore.

That gives me so much peace and is something I truly love.

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Anyway, I am about to go get up some shots in the gym, so I will wrap up right here. I sure hope you all have an unbelievable Easter holiday.

Thank you to our wonderful Lord and Savior, for HE HAS RISEN!!

Stay blessed and to God goes the Glory!

-SL7

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P.S. Before I go … I know this is old news now in the United States, but it’s still new news to me. I wanted to take some time to congratulate my high school coach, Kathy Luke, on getting the head coaching position at Houma Christian School!!

I know you will do a great job, Coach! Thank you for all you did for me when I was at that age, and even still today. 

I met this youngster at a camp. I love the kids here in Australia!