Family. Compassion. Unity. These are the words that describe what was witnessed Friday night at Niles High School.

During the Niles Vikings boys basketball varsity game, a player from the visiting team endured a horrific injury, leaving the crowd startled and in disbelief.

I was relatively close to Niles’ bench as I heard Coach Touhey say to his team, “Boys, lets pray for this young man.”

Without hesitation, every player and coach stood up, formed a circle and with their arms wrapped around each other, they prayed.

This is Niles. This is the definition of family. Of compassion. Of unity.

Thank you, young men. You can win every game for the rest of the season, and I don’t think I would ever be as proud to be a Viking as I was last night.

LISA SAUNDERS

Niles