Her Best Shot

by Pam McEwen

That night, the biggest shot of the game didn’t come at the buzzer.

It seemed like any other basketball game as I coached the Young Women’s team of our ward in the Lakewood Colorado Stake. Little did I know I was about to witness a powerful example of Christlike love on the court.

On the opposing team was a young woman named Nicole. Nicole is well known by the girls in the stake. She is a very loving and caring person. She also has Down’s syndrome.

On our team was a very competitive athlete named Kayla. Kayla excels in sports in high school. She also has a tremendous love and knowledge of the scriptures and is rarely seen without them.

During the second half of the game, I witnessed an event that made a powerful impact on everyone attending. Nicole received a pass from her teammate. She took a shot at the basket and missed. Kayla, who was not on Nicole’s team, rebounded and passed the ball back to Nicole. Nicole again shot and missed.

All of the other players stood still as Kayla continued to rebound Nicole’s missed shots and return the ball to Nicole. Finally, after the ninth try, Nicole made a basket. Everyone rose to their feet, and the whole gym erupted in cheers, hugs, and high fives. Nicole grinned ear to ear.

Much more important than the score that night was watching someone help another to succeed. That night Kayla truly demonstrated how “to stand as [a witness] of God, at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9).

Illustrated by Dilleen Marsh