SUN CITY, Texas — The Georgetown High School boys’ and girls’ basketball programs spent Tuesday, June 23, giving back to one of their most loyal fan bases through a unique community service initiative called “Helping Hands.”
More than two dozen student-athletes partnered with Sun City residents to assist with household projects while building meaningful relationships that extend far beyond the basketball court.
The event paired one boys’ basketball player and one girls’ basketball player together before sending them to the homes of Sun City boosters who have supported Georgetown basketball for years. Throughout the afternoon, players completed a variety of tasks including washing windows, power washing patios, pruning shrubs, planting flowers, weeding flower beds, cleaning closets, washing dogs, detailing golf carts, and changing air-conditioning filters.
According to Georgetown Lady Eagles Head Coach Rhonda Farney, the idea was born out of a desire to reconnect with a community that has played a significant role in the success of Georgetown basketball.
“We met with Joylynne Muscianes, the new social director, and Hugh Johns, president of the Sun City Basketball Boosters, in March to reset our relationship with Sun City,” Farney said. “We felt like we had lost so many special people from Sun City over the last couple of years and needed to strengthen that bond. We also wanted to introduce Coach Austin, our new boy’s basketball coach, to them and create friendship opportunities between our boys’ and girls’ basketball players.”
Farney said she wanted Sun City residents to see firsthand the character of Georgetown’s student-athletes away from the gym.
“We wanted Sun City to see how great our kids are off the court,” she said.”
Players were encouraged not only to work hard but also to spend time visiting with their assigned boosters, learning about their lives, sharing stories about school and basketball, and discussing the teams’ summer strength and skills program.
The project aligns with the basketball programs’ emphasis on character development, leadership, and community engagement.
“The purpose was to build strong bonds between the boys’ and girls’ basketball players while strengthening our relationship with our Sun City boosters,” Farney explained. “ “We wanted our athletes to be trustworthy, respectful, social, and willing to step outside their comfort zones. These relationships are important and help reinforce the values we talk about every day.”
Following the service projects, players and boosters gathered at the Oaks Pro Shop at Legacy Hills Golf Course for an ice cream social featuring homemade ice cream, conversation, and photos.
The event exceeded expectations.
“It turned out to be a win-win for everyone involved,” Farney said. “Our kids loved it, and Sun City loved our kids. We spent an hour and a half eating homemade ice cream with all the boosters, and honestly, no one wanted to leave. It was great.”
For the Georgetown basketball programs, the day served as another example of their commitment to developing not only successful athletes, but also outstanding young men and women dedicated to serving others.
Coach Austin Fleming said, “Our guys had a great time working together with our girls’ program to give back to the Sun City community. Several of our players walked away with new relationships forged and are excited to see the boosters they worked with in the stands this season.”
This coincides with Georgetown HS Principal Brian Johnson’s mission, “At Georgetown HS, we believe in teaching more than reading, writing and math. We try to teach our students to be good citizens and give back to their communities. We are so grateful for our partners and friends in Sun City. The Sun City residents and fans are such a blessing to our students and teach them so much.”
Sun City Eagle Booster Joylynne Muscianes said, “If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be ‘blessed. ‘ I saw joy and excitement from both the boys’ and girls’ basketball players and it was contagious. The comments I received back from our boosters have been gratitude for the help and, equally as important, for the love expressed.”
Hugh Johns summed it up by saying, “I watched and listened as the young, and not so young, interacted at the boosters’ homes and at the social event. Intergenerational bonds were definitely formed.”
“We wanted our players to give of themselves freely, get out of their comfort zones, and build relationships that will carry into our season and beyond,” Farney said. “This day accomplished exactly that.”
Student-athletes participating in the Helping Hands project included:
Maddy Villarreal, Jaxen Parkhill, Evan Picart, Hannah Rodgers, Kayla Rey, Leland Moore, Reagan Byers, Raelyn Brauers, Sulli Sogge, Meigan Holubec, Adan Torres, Ella Booras, Addy Luepke, Noah Hawley, Millie Tenney, Weston Hepp, Rylee Prater, Chase Staackmann, Scarlette Riley, Eli Davis, Ava Yancey, Logan McLaughlin, Kam Covington, Royal Mitchell, Taniyah Williams, Kaeli Wilson, Cole Bickel, Kendal Mapp, Zeydi Serna, and Josiah Banks.
The “Helping Hands” project showcased the strong connection between Georgetown basketball and the Sun City community, reminding everyone involved that the impact of athletics reaches far beyond wins and losses.