LYNN — Courage is not for the faint of heart, something Lynn English senior Dorathy Ezemba knows all too well.
Ezemba is a varsity basketball player for the Bulldogs, and her battle with cancer since the winter of her junior year was recognized last week when Board 130 of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) presented her with the James Young Courage Award.
“I love competition,” she said. “I like being the underdog and having to try to win.”
Ezemba was diagnosed with cancer two weeks after her junior year basketball season ended. A month went by of tests and scans and doctors found the cancer. The summer of 2017 was the most difficult for her as she underwent chemotherapy and radiation.
“Life is not always easy,” said her coach, Mackenzie Charles. “She had to deal with that at a young age. She is a great role model and is an example for the community.”
When asked what courage meant to her Ezemba said, “courage to me means having to overcome something that you didn’t ask for — anything that you had to overcome is courage to me.”
The award was not something that Ezemba expected.
“I was shocked,” Ezemba said. “I didn’t find out (about winning the award) until the day before.”
There were several reasons for her getting the award. Despite her diagnosis, and the treatment she was forced to receive, Ezemba tried to play. Also, despite being ill, she sat on the sidelines and supported her team.
“Since I was still doing chemo my body wasn’t able to (let me) play,” Ezemba said. “My treatments ended at the beginning of this month. I had my last surgery two weeks ago, ( and) I officially (went) in remission.”
Although her journey has brought no shortage of challenges, Ezemba has always kept a positive attitude. She also has a strong support system by her side.
“Dorathy has been through a lot with a smile on her face,” said Charles. “She has a good support system with her family and friends.”
When asked about her goals for the future Ezemba said that she wants to coach basketball one day. She hopes to use coaching as an avenue to keep the game close to her.
“I want to be a basketball coach in the future,” said Ezemba. “I always wanted to be a coach. I don’t ever want basketball to not be a part of my life.”
Charles said Ezemba spent time on the sideline observing the game from a different light. He believes that experience will help her cause.
“The time she spent on the bench helped her see the game differently,” Charles said. “She’s seen it first-hand and behind the scenes. She has a good knack to reach the girls in college, and is a great asset to help young girls learn adversity in life.”
Despite her illness, Ezemba, will be graduate from English on time next month. She has hopes of continuing her education at Salem State University to study physical therapy.
“We need our youth to come back and share their stories with the young girls,” said Charles.
