BGSU's Cecil, Santoro experience Cuba

We take many things for granted in the United States.

This includes a reliance that it won’t rain inside the basketball arena.

Cuba is not the United States. The members of Bowling Green State University’s women’s basketball team, including Bellevue graduate Carly Santoro and Oak Harbor graduate Andrea Cecil learned this first-hand as they spent a few days in Cuba this month.

The Falcons, while staying in Havana, lost to the Cuban National Team 53-46 and 51-47. BGSU defeated the University of Science, Physical Culture and Sport 61-54.

The start of the second half of the victory was delayed by rain at the outdoor venue. Santoro had seven points in two of the games and Cecil added six rebounds in the other.

“Playing in that heat was something to get used to,” Santoro said. “We had to get used to different (FIBA) rules that we weren’t aware of. In Cuba, their women’s basketball team is their pride and joy, so everyone came out to our game.”

The Falcons visited a cigar shop, shopped and observed.

“It was a great experience to explore the culture and the country,” Cecil said. “All of the Cuban natives loved seeing us Americans and would tell us how much they loved us.

“We went salsa dancing, which was super cool because our partners were all professionals and they took their time and were very patient with us so we could learn a part of their culture.”

More than anything, the Falcons enjoyed interacting with the youngsters they saw. The players and staff conducted two clinics for local children.

“A little girl took to me and made me meet her family and kept giving me hugs,” Santoro said. “Even though we couldn’t talk to each other, our common language was basketball, which was my favorite part of the trip.”

The Falcons tried Cuban food and saw more cars from the 1960s than they probably thought existed.

“Cuba was definitely an eye-opening experience,” Santoro said. “When I was walking through the city, I couldn’t help but to just look at everything because of how different everything is. The people were so friendly there and everybody always wanted to talk to us.

“Cubans are proud of their culture. Cubans are great people and were always willing to help and very outgoing. I felt very safe there and walking around and taking everything in was such a neat and amazing experience.”

The girls brought tennis balls to give away and the gesture was consistently appreciated.

“Kids would almost cry and chase you down for more,” Santoro said.

BGSU finished 10-18 last season. Santoro played in every game, averaging 4.3 points in 12.7 minutes.

“I learned a lot about myself and the player I want to become through these next three seasons,” Santoro said. “I had to work really hard in the offseason to not only better myself, but to better the team to make winning a tradition again.

“I’m super excited to start preseason and get the season underway.”

BGSU was permitted 10 on-campus practices to prepare for Cuba and then had a unique environment to bond in. Cecil graduated from high school in the spring.

“This opportunity was great to be able to get a head start on things and see how we play with each other in a real game setting,” she said. “We were able to get to know new coaches and other staff really well throughout the trip.”

mhorn@gannett.com

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Twitter:@MatthewHornNH