Coaches vs. Cancer game holds special meaning for Harriton’s Will Esposto

Rosemont – With the Blizzard of 2016 (Jonas) bearing down on the Delaware Valley, Harriton High School’s Will Esposto was doing his best to his basketball team ready for a game Jan. 22 against visiting Penncrest that was moved up four hours due to impending weather.

With each game meaning something due to the time of year, this game was especially meaningful to Esposto with proceeds raised from this game going to Coaches vs. Cancer.

“It’s extremely hard thinking about what my family and I went through dealing with cancer that anything I can do to help raise money and awareness means a lot,” said Esposto prior to the game Jan. 22 that Harriton lost 53-41.  “So many families have been affected by cancer and my family is certainly part of that so in a game like today I play with an extra chip on my shoulder and think about how much my mom meant to our family.”

“Will could have come up with many excuses to miss workouts, or to simply give up,” said Harriton boys’ basketball coach Jesse Rappaport. “He went through hell, and never lost his smile, nor his will to win. In a world ripe with victimization, Will instead chose self-empowerment. It’s a tribute to himself, his father and to the rest of his family, that Will stayed so strong during, and after this horrible situation.  Will has worked extremely hard in the offseason, to prepare for this season, and has continued that work ethic during the season.”

Five years ago Esposto’s life changed forever when it was discovered that his mother (Meg) was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. With the family in good spirits with the belief she had won her battle against a disease that has affected over one million Americans, Esposto, his father (Frank) and brother (Francesco) were left in disbelief when they were informed that Meg was diagnosed with a non-operable cancer that had spread throughout her body.

“It was kind of crazy,” said Esposto. “My brother and I did not really know what was going on because my father and mother had shielded us from everything because my mother did want to be a burden. She wanted my brother and I to focus on school.  When it came time for our parents to share everything which was close to the time she passed away reality kind of set in and it brought our family closer together. We knew we had to make the best of a bad situation and we did it together.”

Rappaport said, “I will never forget hearing of his mother’s passing that summer day. We felt it was imperative the team was at the funeral, and I was touched the team all showed up and gave their heart and soul to Will.  Most impressive though, was the strength and grace Will, and his family, showed that day.”

With everyone being there for him and his family including his teammates and coaches, Esposto knew he would have to bring what he learned from this to the basketball team.

Upon his return to school, Esposto was eager to get back to the basketball court and return to what served as the perfect outlet for him while trying to deal with the loss of an important figure in his life.

“One hundred percent that basketball has been an outlet for me,” said Esposto. “Coach Rappaport said he would be there for me and seeing the support I received from the team and the coaches really helped. It shows it goes beyond the basketball court.”

Heading into this year, Esposto knew the importance of being a leader for a relatively young team. With the adversity the team faced in the beginning of the season, Esposto was able to use his own experience to help his team grow.

“With my brother away at college it’s just me and my father,” said Esposto. “He is my biggest fan and my biggest critic. We have become best buddies and we share everything with each other. We have built a trust between us that has been very important and that’s what I have been trying to do with the team.”

Esposto, who is leading the team in scoring, averaging 16.0 points per game added, “It’s been awesome watching this team grow. We have worked so hard and have come so far coming together as a group.”

“Will is one of the best leaders we have ever had,” Rappaport said.  His work ethic, coach-ability, and vocal leadership have been amazing. Will has a strong moral compass, and he understands the importance of sportsmanship, integrity, and honesty.”