The passports are packed and the jerseys are ready.
The Long Island Lutheran girls high school basketball program is about to go global.
On Friday, the Crusaders of Brookville are heading to Japan for a nearly two-week international trip that blends basketball, culture and a whole lot of fun.
For head coach Christina Raiti, the journey still feels surreal—even to her own players.
“When I first told the girls we were going to Japan to play basketball, they thought I was lying,” Raiti told Greater Long Island. “I had to tell them four or five times before they started believing me, and rightfully so.”
“When coach first told us, I thought it was a joke ,” senior Savannah Swords said. “I said we are a high school team, we don’t do that.”
As it turns out, they do.
On the court, there will be games, scrimmages and clinics. The trip begins in Tokyo before moving on to Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to move the girls game forward, raise the bar, and prepare them for life,” Raiti said. “And it’s more than just hoops. We want to learn about their culture while we are there just as much as they want to learn about us.”
“Some people dream about going to Japan for a vacation,” senior Olivia Jones said. “We get to go to play basketball and experience the country.
“It’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
For senior Emily McDonald, it’s about finding new things on and off the court.
“I’m a picky eater, but I’m looking forward to trying new foods and finding something I like,” she said. “Never in a million years did I think basketball would take me to Japan while I was still in high school. I’m excited to help grow the game over there and maybe pick up a few things that I can use here.”
Senior Sanai Green said the trip feels like the beginning of something entirely new.
“I’ve never even been out of the country before, so this is a first,” Green said. “But I heard the plane ride was long. I’m probably going to take a melatonin and sleep the whole time. I don’t do well with long flights.”
But before they even board the plane for the 14-hour, 6,700 mile flight, it’s clear the reach of the LuHi brand has already made an impact.
“It was an eye-opening experience when I was booking one of the Airbnbs for the trip,” Raiti said. “The owner of the home responded to me by saying, ‘You actually coach the LuHi girls basketball team that’s coming to Japan?’ My three daughters follow the team even though we are on the other side of the world. They would love to meet your girls.”
While basketball is at the heart of the trip, academics remain a priority. Despite crossing time zones and continents, the team’s classroom responsibilities will continue.
“The girls still have to do schoolwork while we are away,” Raiti said. “We have study halls every day. We are very serious about academics here.”
And of course there will still be plenty of time to have some fun.
“I’m getting softer in my old age,” Rait said. “Yes, it’s a business trip, but we are absolutely going to go sightseeing. I have a food bucket list for the girls.”
“We’ve surpassed some dreams, and we are continuing to pave the way for the younger generation,” she added. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with a very special group of girls we have here,”
Top: Long Island Lutheran senior Emily McDonald at practice at Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School in Brookville. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
