Life — just like basketball — can be full of twists and turns. 

On the court, you could be comfortably up by double digits, and the next thing you know, the game’s tied. In life, things could seem to be going smoothly, until in an instant, everything changes. 

Shannon Stenz knows that feeling. 

Stenz is an assistant coach for the Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, girls’ varsity basketball team. Last summer, a few days of experiencing dizziness and shortness of breath led to a diagnosis that everyone dreads: cancer. 

To backtrack, sports have been a huge part of Stenz’s life since her days playing Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball and softball at St. Mary’s Winfield, Woodside, where she also went to grammar school. 

At St. Agnes H.S., College Point, she was a three-sport star in volleyball, basketball, and softball — with her hoops number being retired in the school’s gym. 

She continued her softball career for two years at Hunter College in Manhattan before settling into a job as a construction manager for a heating and ventilation company. She began coaching CYO softball and basketball at St. Stan’s, Ozone Park, as her daughters, Kaitlyn and Brittany, came through the program. 

In 2018, she joined McClancy’s coaching staff. Her oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, had just graduated, though the younger, Brittany, had two years to go on the varsity squad. Both were selected Tablet All-Stars in multiple seasons, and both are now Catholic school teachers in the diocese. 

Fast forward to this past August. Stenz had been feeling dizzy for a few days and was experiencing shortness of breath. She drove herself to the emergency room at NYU Langone in Garden City, L.I., and upon arrival, it was determined she needed a blood transfusion and a biopsy. 

The result of the biopsy was exactly what she did not want to hear: stage 2 endometrial cancer. A second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering — known for its world-class cancer care — confirmed the diagnosis. 

“I was in shock,” said Stenz. “You hear about it so often, but you never think it will happen to you.” 

On Aug. 22 — the date of her 25th wedding anniversary to husband, Gary — Stenz had a full hysterectomy, which removed the cancerous cells. As a precaution, she opted for radiation and chemotherapy treatments to ensure the aggressive form of cancer would not spread any further. 

As she began chemo in mid-September, a new basketball season was on the horizon. Stenz didn’t think twice. She of course would be coaching this season, since it would be a needed distraction from her treatments. 

“There was never a second thought in my mind,” Stenz said about returning to coach. “I kept pushing myself through. I’m not someone who can just sit around at home and do nothing. I just can’t sit still!” 

Stenz’s background of playing and coaching sports gave her the necessary drive to overcome any obstacles in her cancer journey. It’s a message she has passed on to her players, who have been inspired to see her valiant battle. 

Her last chemo treatment was Jan. 16, and she is now considered to be in remission. She will go for CT scans every three months for the next five years. If all remains clear, she will be able to say she’s officially cancer free. 

When initially told of Stenz’s diagnosis, McClancy head girls’ varsity coach Dewey Hopkins told her that basketball is secondary and that she needed to first and foremost take care of herself. 

He of course was thrilled that she found the strength to return to the sidelines while being a constant source of positive energy all season for the Crusaders. 

“She (Stenz) didn’t miss a beat,” Hopkins said. “She’s been a rock for us.” 

To show their appreciation, the Crusaders dedicated their season to Stenz. Through every practice and every game, the student-athletes are reminded of their coach’s perseverance, and they hold it close to their hearts as they take the floor. 

“It teaches the whole team about how strong someone can be and how to always push no matter how hard life gets,” said Daniella Velez, a senior point guard and team captain. “We dedicated the season to her because she’s dedicating all her time to us. It makes us want to work harder and not take anything for granted.” 

Stenz did not choose this path. Yet the way she’s handled her unexpected adversity has inspired her players — who surely will deal with their own roadblocks in life. 

“I hope this journey shows them that you’re going to have obstacles in life, yet there’s always a way around it,” Stenz said. “I hope they can look back and reflect on what I went through and realize that they can fight just as hard.” 

Coach Stenz is the definition of a role model. She’s relied on her passion for sports to find enjoyment in life, even during the most challenging of times.