11 a.m. Sunday morning. Menlo Park, California. Shoes squeaking, balls bouncing, nets swishing. Everything feels familiar, from the gym to the school to the game being played in front of our eyes. Upon entering the gym, we watch as Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Max Strus effortlessly drains three after three from way beyond the arc. Everything is the same. The form, the shot release, the arc, and of course, the result. Swish. Swish. Swish.

It’s not everyday that you get to meet the exact athletes you idolize. On Sunday, Dec. 29, the Pinewood girls basketball team did just that, gaining exclusive, inside access to a Cavaliers practice.

Ever since the summer of 2012, when Pinewood girls basketball head coach Doc Scheppler met Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, the two have become close friends, sharing a strong bond over their love for basketball.

“We both love to teach the game, both curious learners, and that’s when the relationship started,” Scheppler said. “Through those years we would maintain contact, and I would send him some plays to run for his team.”

Without Scheppler’s connection to Atkinson, this experience wouldn’t have been possible for the girls, making the occasion all the more special.

Being the number one Eastern Conference team in the National Basketball Association is no easy feat, and from watching the first few minutes of their practice alone, it was clear why the Cavaliers are as good as they are.

Constant communication, high fives left and right, laughter flying across the gym, everything. Everything a coach and athlete would want in a practice was right there. The competitiveness, skill, and joy in the gym were palpable, and it reminded everyone in there why they play the game of basketball.

“The vibe that the players brought was very different than I expected,” senior guard Vallory Kuelker said. “There was a lot of energy in practice, and they were all talking to each other and making jokes. That inspired us to be more like that in practice and just have more fun.”

Beyond just their talents on the court, Scheppler also noticed how welcoming the players were. Watching them perform on national television was one thing, but seeing and meeting them in person was another.

“The main thing is that the camaraderie was at the highest level.” Scheppler said. “The fact that somebody like Donovan Mitchell came over, introduced himself, and shook his hand with the girls shows that he was willing to take just two minutes to be a good guy.”

Even though watching the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley practice was an unforgettable experience, what will ultimately be remembered is their kindness and humility. It only takes one second, one smile, one picture to make someone’s day, and the Cleveland Cavaliers did just that for us.