A Bluffton teen who spent the last few days of her summer vacation on the basketball court may soon see her name in the Guinness World Book of Records.
Eighteen-year-old Chantel Went participated in what may be the world’s longest basketball game held at Living Waters Academy in Spruce Grove from Aug. 19 to 24.
The game, Stony Plain Basketball Association’s fundraiser for Operation Basketball Amigo, took place over 4.7 days, and players spent 113 hours on the court.
The length of the challenge was equivalent to 169.5 standard basketball games and during the course of the game, players ran 629.24 kilometers. The game consisted of 2.09 NBA seasons.
Went scored 577 points for her team, 55 of which were three pointers. She earned three free throws and made 261 field goals.
A total of 24 players took part, with each participant rotating in two-hour shifts. When not on the court, players showered, ate and slept.
Went described the experience as “unreal.”
She said she was unprepared for the experience, but added she would do it again.
“I underestimated what it would be like. It took a lot of mental toughness,’ she said. “But I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was amazing.”
Spending so much time with the other players gave her an opportunity to bond with them and develop lasting friendships.
“They were standup people,” she said. “Just great people.”
Despite the incredible stamina required to complete the game, Went said she didn’t want it to be over.
“I was sad to be done. During the last hour and a half I didn’t want it to end. I just wanted to play longer.”
The game ended 9,516 to 9,508 with White’s team being the victors.
Operations Basketball Amigo provides funding for basketball camps in Juarez, Mexico.