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Unlikely star shines at inaugural Valor Bowl All-Star Game

05/21/2015, 9:45pm EDT
By Jeff Griffith

Jeff Griffith (@Jeff_Griffith21)
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Despite flashy moves, thunderous dunks, and raining three-pointers, the star of the first annual Valor Bowl Chester County Basketball all-star game wasn’t a 6-foot-6 high-flyer, or a sharp-shooting guard.

Not even Octorara’s Tarojae Brake, who had the audience roaring with several ankle-breaking moves, or Kevin Crutchfield of Coatesville knocking down threes on what seemed like every possession, had the best night in the seniors-only event at Downingtown West.

It was a 14-year old girl, the sister of Conestoga’s Dan Vila, who shined brightest under the spotlight in Downingtown West’s Wagner Gym.

Sophie Vila, an avid fan and supporter of her brother, is affected by Down's Syndrome, and was given the opportunity to stand at center court during player introductions with her mother, fist-bumping each all-star and taking in every second of her time on the floor with the all-stars.

“It was awesome,” Vila said. “I came out here, we were all just looking to have a good time, and Sophie was out here having a good time with us. And that’s nothing new for us, we’re always just together, having fun.”

Since 1999, the Valor Bowl had been an event held for Chester County's top football stars, showcasing senior talent from prominent football programs like Coatesville, Downingtown, West Chester Rustin, and Malvern Prep. Valor Bowl co-founders Scott Allison and Joe Carroll brought their vision to the hardwood in 2015, giving the rising talent level and popularity of Chester County basketball an opportunity to shine.

Vila had a fantastic night of his own, dropping 16 points and an array of impressive dunks that constantly had the crowd – and his sister – on their feet.

As a member of the Conestoga Pioneers, Vila has grown accustomed to success, leading his team to back-to-back top seeds in the District 1 AAAA playoffs, back-to-back Central League championship appearances, and back-to-back trips to the state tournament.

And Sophie’s been by his side the entire way.

“She’s always there, as much as any sister; she’s always got my back, she’s always in my corner, and that’s all I can ask her to do,” Vila said.

Vila will surely bring his sister’s spirit and inspiration, as well as the winning mindset he developed at Conestoga with him as he heads off to Johns Hopkins in the fall, where he will play basketball for Bill Nelson’s Blue Jays.

Hopkins recently had its second straight NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 2014-15 after a seven-year absence and won the Centennial Conference regular season title, before being knocked out by Babson in the regional final.

Led by Nelson, who has a career record at Hopkins of 472-290, Vila will be joining a team that will be losing talented seniors like Jimmy Hammer and George Bugarinovic.

“Hopefully it’ll keep right on going, they made the sweet sixteen this year, I know they’re losing some key scorers but talking to some of the guys there, they don’t think it’s a step down,” Vila said.

Amidst all the excitement that comes along with rising to the next level of basketball, Vila knows his sister will continue to be his number-one fan, and hopes to keep seeing her in the crowd at some of their Centennial Conference games near his hometown.

“Hopefully she’ll be able to be there with me still,” Vila added. “She’s still in my corner, she wants me to do the best that I can and I want her to the best that she can.”

Sophie made clear that she wholeheartedly agreed with her brother’s words, before describing her love of One Direction, and more importantly, her love for her brothers.

But what was most clear from the discussion Dan and Sophie Vila had was the bond between them; Sophie's bright smile while talking to her brother was as genuine and jubilant as could be, incomparable to any of the facial expressions of the players on the court, who had the crowd on their feet with countless ESPN-worthy plays.

The smile on Sophie’s face was the same one she had on all night, in giving fist-bumps to every player, doing her signature handshake with her brother, and watching intently from the East team bench.

Each time Vila came back to the sideline, he’d exchange the same handshake with his sister before taking a seat, and there was that smile, the smile of a number-one fan, who shined brighter than any of the all-stars, and made the inaugural basketball Valor Bowl one to remember.


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