Finding faith by AMY CHARLES
Some say life is a game of chance. For Josh “Scotty” Samarco ’10, uprooting his whole life and coming to Pikeville, a place he’d never even heard of, was a chance worth taking. The 6’1” shooting guard made quite a name for himself on the basketball court, becoming an NAIA All American and scoring a record 41 points in a single game against rival Georgetown College. But Samarco’s time in Pikeville transformed him into more than a hall of fame basketball star, he became a faithful servant of God.
“Living in Pikeville helped me see there was more to life than basketball,” said Samarco. “It was a tool for allowing me to meet people and get an education, but I discovered I had a purpose in life, so much bigger than basketball.”
From the time he could walk, Samarco’s dad put a basketball in his hands. Lucky for him, his neighborhood, just outside Detroit, had a basketball park where he could sharpen his skills. 38
UPIKE MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2020
