An hour before we took this photo I had been doing a pre-game chapel with these young ladies, and I asked if I could have a photo with them. So, after their “shoot around” on game day, they took a few minutes to pose with me. All of these girls are smart, and kind, BUT they are fierce competitors. One of the hardest things I have ever had to manage is the timing issue when it comes to these chapels. I am entering their space, the locker room, about 30 minutes before “shoot around”, five hours before their game. Some of the girls come in late (because getting ankles taped or that type of thing) so I have to start before they all get there. I also have to make sure that I do not make them “late” for walking on to the court (I made that rookie mistake once I don’t want to do it again). So what I need to do is wait as long as I can so that as many girls are there as possible, but not wait so long that I make them late. I give a 5-8 minute devotional, intentionally trying to incorporate the message of Jesus, the gospel, and redemption. It took four chapels just to do the basic message of the gospel. We print verses and quotes in navy blue ink on metallic silver cards. Many of the girls (and Mark’s guys) collect these and post them in their lockers. Then I pray with them. As soon as I am done, and hopefully about 5-10 minutes before they are supposed to be on the court, I turn and leave the locker room and walk to sit at a court-side seat. I want the coach to see me and see that I have not made them late. Some of my best conversations with the coaches happen during these few minutes.
