Service -- with a smile

They go from charity stripe to charity work, and back again. Over and over and over again.

Basketball and community service are on the docket just about every Saturday. And that keeps Connor Dimick and Josh Mangioni insanely busy each winter.

You won't hear them complaining, though. Just the opposite, in fact.

These two Wauconda teenagers are happiest when they're hoopin' ... and helpin', which makes them two of the most inspiring people I've ever written about.

I've met hundreds of impressive athletes over the course of my 11 years at the Daily Herald, but Dimick and Mangioni are near the top.

It's not so much about what they can do on the basketball court -- although both have shown great promise there. Mostly, it's what they do between practices and games and team dinners and, let's not forget, school.

"We're just trying to be a constant light in the community, constantly trying to have an attitude of service," Mangioni said. "If you see someone, help them out, that kind of thing. It's not even so much doing an activity all the time, it's just a lifestyle."

But there are plenty of activities, too.

Dimick and Mangioni, a guard and center, respectively, for the Wauconda boys basketball team, are about as active in their community as they try to be on the hardwood. The two attend the Evangelical Free Church of Wauconda and are involved in just about every youth group available there.

And a big emphasis of those groups is community service, which often occurs on Saturdays -- after basketball practice or before games.

So when Dimick and Mangioni aren't running the break, they're walking a senior citizen across the street.

When they're not canning jumpers, they're collecting canned goods for the local food pantry.

When they're not stuffing an opponent's shot, they're stuffing the tummies of the fire fighters and police officers in town with complimentary homemade cookies.

When they're not cutting to the basket, they're cutting the lawns of the elderly -- for free, of course.

When they aren't making moves in the paint, they're painting the houses of those who can't do so themselves -- for free.

When they aren't driving to the basket, they're shoveling someone else's drive. Again, for free.

For Dimick and Mangioni, basketball may be life -- but only a small part. Serving others, and God is far more important.

I have met few people, let alone teenagers, like them.

"They're just great, great kids," Wauconda coach Rich Wolf said of Dimick and Mangioni, who are both juniors. "It's nice to have kids on the team that are just quality people, that you never have to worry about. Some kids, you have to worry about what they're doing on Saturday nights.

"We know what Connor and Josh are doing on Saturday nights. They're out doing good things, helping people."

Dimick says he knows no other way.

He grew up in a household in which helping others was as important as helping himself.

"My parents met on a mission project, so the way I've been raised has a lot to do with it," Dimick said. "They raised me in the church and taught me to read the Bible. I read the Bible every morning before I go to school for about 20 minutes or so. And I believe in the Bible 100 percent. The Bible talks about serving others and that's what I try to do.

"Helping others is an awesome feeling."

Winning basketball games is, too.

What time Dimick and Mangioni have away from school and church is often spent with a basketball in hand.

Dimick is a 3-point specialist who leads the team with about 13 points per game. He was promoted to varsity last year as a sophomore about midway through the season and wound up earning a starting spot shortly thereafter.

"I was really scared and shy and timid last year, but it was a good learning experience and this year has been a much smoother transition," Dimick said. "I try to bring a lot energy defensively and shooting 3s is something I love to do."

The 6-foot-6 Mangioni would love to simply get on the court more.

He's missed at least 10 games this season to nurse a fractured right foot. Recently, just as he was about to return, he tweaked it again, which means his playing time has continued to be limited and sporadic.

The Bulldogs are looking forward to his full recovery. Like Dimick, he's shown he can put the ball in the basket. He averaged about 10 points last year for the sophomore team.

"I play pretty physical and play solid defense and I have good low-post skills," Mangioni said. "When I'm in there, I feel like I can make an impact.

"I worked hard over the summer to get ready for the season, so not being able to play has been frustrating. But I think my faith has really helped me keep a positive attitude. I've realized that life is short and you've got to appreciate every moment. I appreciate basketball a lot more than I did before."

I'd be willing to bet people around Wauconda appreciate teenagers -- and even mankind in general -- a lot more after meeting Mangioni and Dimick, and their youth group friends. How could they not?

"People will give us funny looks at first, like 'What do you want to do this for? Why do you want to help me? What's the catch?' " Dimick said. "And then we help them and they're like, 'Oh, you really did just want to be nice.' We get hugs, a lot of smiles and thank-yous. It's nice."

It's karma.