Mooseheart's "Very Tall Order"

From the Feb. 22, 2013, Chicago Tribune "A very tall order" by Ted Gregory.

Mooseheart, a facility operated by the Moose organization in Batavia, Illinois, on the old Lincoln Highway, has been taking in orphaned and children facing other problems of its members since 1913.  It offers a place to live, guidance and school.

Of course, taking in kids like that doesn't guarantee athletes.  The school's basketball team has been around since 1929, but has never been better than it is today, thanks to three kids, called "The Big Three" who transferred there from South Sudan.

They arrived at Mooseheart in May 2011, speaking almost no English and with just raw basketball skills.  But, they were big: Mangisto Deng is 6'7", Makur Puou is 6'10" and Akim Nyang is 7'1".

They came over under AHOPE (African Hoop Opportunities Providing an Education).  Life in their homeland of South Sudan is horrible.   It's a fine thing to give these tall kids an opportunity.

But other schools who have to play Mooseheart are calling foul, and rightfully so.  It seems just too much of a coincidence.  Oh, and they just happen to be tall and have talent.

You Almost Have to Wonder If They'll Leave Early to Attend College?  Wait, That's Something Else.  --RoadDog