‘You’re Right. I Can Do Anything’

WHEELING -- Sarah Czapp inspires others in myriad ways.

The sixth-grader at Corpus Christi School in Warwood was born without her left leg. She also has scoliosis and has undergone numerous treatments and surgeries while serving as an ambassador for Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Yet she hasn't let that determine what she wants to, or can, do with her life, including when it comes to the basketball court. Sarah, who turns 12 on Oct. 6, is a member of Corpus Christi's girls basketball team, using a crutch with her left arm to get up and down the floor.

"I wanted to do something new. I knew basketball was coming up and a lot of my classmates were playing. I saw them practicing one day," she said. "Now I like it a lot."

Sarah is the Crusaders' point guard, dribbling the ball up the floor while starting and playing two full quarters.

Corpus Christi head coach Bill Wycherley got a glimpse of Sarah's athleticism and determination before she ever took to the court. He saw her playing flag football one day and said he was amazed.

"I watched her with a group of kids in the gym one day," he recalled. "I went to her mom and asked why she wasn't playing. Her mom, Jocelyn, said maybe she could be the manager, but I told her 'she's going to play.'"

Jocelyn Czapp had some reservations.

"Honestly, I didn't know how it was going to work," she admitted. "But we've never stopped her from doing what she wants to try. We let her go her own way. She's a very determined girl.

"I'm so inspired by her. I'm amazed at how determined she is."

Corpus Christi principal Shannon Wall is very familiar with Sarah's story. She isn't just Sarah's principal, she's also her godmother.

"Sarah came to me and asked if I thought she could be the basketball team's manager," I told her 'why not play?' She said, 'can I? You're right. I can do anything.'

"She's been proving us right ever since."

Wall said Sarah always has a positive attitude.

"When she puts her mind to do something, she does it," Wall added. "She's never let anything stop her. She's always smiling and happy. I'm proud she is part of our family at Corpus Christi."

Wycherley said he's glad to have her on his team.

"She is a ball of energy. It's a lot of fun to have her on our team," he noted. "She brings an attitude to the team. She plays hard and has even scored a couple of baskets. She'll get a rebound or two, as well.

"As long as she is happy, I'm happy."

He recalled that after she made a basket, her teammates went crazy.

"You would have thought we had won a championship," Wycherley said. "I love having her on my team. She is very inspirational."

Sarah said using the crutch instead of her prosthetic leg makes her faster.

"Using the crutch isn't hard at all. Actually, it's easier than the prosthetic," she said. "I can move faster.

"I'm pretty proud of myself for what I've been able to accomplish," Sarah added. "Everyone has been really supportive of me."

Sarah isn't just found on the basketball court. She's also a cheerleader and volleyball player and participates in dance. Her teammates are very moved by what she has achieved.

"I don't even think of her not having a leg," teammate Giulana Blake said. "There are times that I even forget she has one leg. But we push each other to the fullest. She's very helpful and a good basketball player."

"She's really nice and fun to be around," teammate Paisley Kleeh said. "She's also a really good basketball player. She makes me want to work harder."

Lindley Blow, who said she has known Sarah since before pre-school, added, "She is so independent. She is amazing and so inspirational. No matter what, she is always kind."

Sarah is the daughter of Jocelyn and George Czapp and has two older brothers, Eli a freshman at Wheeling Central, and Garrett, a senior.