Families share emotional bond at award ceremony

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four teams arrived at Nationwide Arena on Friday all with the same dream of leaving Ohio with a national championship. However, hours before the first basket was score or first rebound was secured, there was a reminder that some things are more important than even the pursuit of the national title.

Avery Marz played in 21 games during the 2017-18 season after a stroke forced the former high school classmate of former UConn linebacker Junior Joseph to miss three seasons with the Saint Joseph’s University. Marz knew it was going to be a special day when she received the United States Basketball Writers Association’s Most Courageous Award, but when the parents of 2014 winner Lauren Hill walked onto the stage and hugged Marz, there wasn’t a dry eye among the audience members consisting of All-Americans, high school, AAU and college coaches and administrators and media.

“It was emotional. My heart started pumping crazily up there,” Marz said. “I am just so blessed that they were going to do this for me because they went out of their way and came here. I am so happy for it.”

Of all the wonderful words uttered about Marz on Friday, none probably struck closer to home more than Lauren Hill’s mother Lisa saying, “she reminds me a lot of Lauren.”

Brent Hill echoed his wife’s sentiments.

“We support Avery for having the courage to overcome her (health issues) and get herself back in one