Students from Modbury High School, located in Adelaide, Australia, arrived at La Salle once again for their biennial USA basketball tour on Monday, Dec. 8.  

While in the United States, the students — most of whom participate in different basketball programs outside of their school but come together for this opportunity — have the chance to compete in nine basketball games against teams located in Oregon and Washington. 

“It’s hard to learn how different people play [in America], but eventually you adapt to it after a game or two,” Modbury senior Noah Zaltron said.

Prior to coming to Oregon, the team visited Centralia, Washington, and Los Angeles, California, where they spent time at Disneyland. After visiting La Salle, their next stop is Estacada High School. 

While the trip involved a lot of traveling, senior Larissa Bonn — one of many students at La Salle whose families hosted Australians at their house — said that the team members she hosted “go with the flow.”

During their time at La Salle the two teams were able to participate in friendly competition, and while the game does not contribute to any sort of ranking, the final score was 74-61, with La Salle as the winners.

Throughout the trip, many of the players from Australia immersed themselves in what they could while at the various stops. Modbury senior Nethula Dissanayake was able to learn more about the U.S. “not based on what the news says and just seeing Americans are really cool people,” he said. 

The team took numerous shopping outings, one of which was to Clackamas Town Center, located near La Salle. The shopping and travel led one of the players, sophomore Manu Koriko, to wish he had “brought more money and a bigger suitcase,” he said. 

Bonn — who hosted Koriko and freshman Sebastian Borges — expressed her gratitude for this program, especially since it provides a welcome change after growing up as an only child.

“I feel like it’s always good to meet new people, and it’s always fun to hear what other people’s homes are like and what their lives are like, especially if they don’t live here,” she said. 

Another host, freshman Eddie Betteridge Hall, feels similarly. 

“So far, it’s been fun,” he said. “It’s been fun to watch them play basketball.”

Senior McKenna Morgan echoed that, emphasizing how she’s been able to learn more from the Modbury students during their time while they are also exposed to everyday life in the United States. 

“It’s just been a good experience,” she said. “I love learning about other cultures.”

Dissanayake and Zaltron, two of the team members that stayed with Morgan, feel that the Morgans have made their time in Oregon more enjoyable because of the opportunities they have had outside of the basketball court. 

During their trip, they were taken to fast food franchises such as In-N-Out, Panda Express, and their overall favorite, Chick-Fil-A. Dissanayake feels that “fast food is pretty cool,” he said.

Another aspect was that “[the trip] was during my birthday, so they helped celebrate my birthday with me,” Morgan said.

Dissanayake believes that these outings with the Morgan family and the other activities on the trip helped him better immerse himself in the environment and get to know American culture. 

“They’ve been very accepting, very kind, letting us into their house,” he said. 

Athletic Director Mr. Chris George also feels that the hosting aspect is a critical part of this program. 

“I’m excited for the people that sign up to be the home stay families because that is where the magic happens,” he said. “[The hosts] are experiencing a culture without having to leave home.”

While this program has been in effect since 2010, with a break during COVID, many feel there are still improvements to be made. 

Mr. George hopes that during future visits the student body will be given more of an opportunity to engage with the Modbury team and learn about the similarities and differences between American and Australian culture, through an assembly or student panel.

“It feels like there is a missed opportunity there to give them voice and kind of celebrate with us,” Mr. George said.

Bonn had similar thoughts regarding the program. She felt there could have been “more advertisement to the student body because I think a lot of people did not know,” she said.

She also thought that it would have been nice if it was possible for the girls basketball team to come as well, like they did two years prior. 

Despite this, the boys Modbury team has enjoyed their time with La Salle.

“[The] families have been great,” Borges said. “[They’re] warm people.”

During this time spent with the La Salle community, some took the opportunity to educate students on all things Australian. Dissanayake shared a favorite breakfast from his childhood, fairy bread, which consists of bread, butter, and sprinkles. Zaltron also shared a story involving a spider, most of which are much larger than what can be found in Oregon.

“One time I just woke up, had a spider on my bed, pet it a little bit, and said ‘what’s up?’” he said. 

Many of the visiting Australians remarked on how much colder the states they have visited are than Australia, to the point of disliking the cold they have experienced in the U.S.

Another significant difference between Australia and America is the recent social media ban implemented there. The ban itself does not affect a majority of the players, but players like Koriko have sympathy for those it targets.

“I feel bad for the people that lost their social media,” Koriko said, who added that the ban took away hundreds of his followers. 

Zaltron predicts that people will easily be able to bypass it, but only time will tell. 

Time will also show the impact of this trip on those who visited.

“It’d be fun to kind of really see over time what effect we have as a Lasallian school community on them,” Mr. George said. 

In addition to sharing appreciation for their experience in America, Modbury team members encouraged students at La Salle to learn more about Australian culture, and possibly take a visit to Australia to enjoy sunshine, beaches, and wildlife. 

“Come down to Australia, meet a kangaroo,” Borges said.