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Providence Day's basketball team prepares to compete in China

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte is about to get some international recognition because Providence Day School has been given a rare opportunity in China.

The private school has been invited to play in a high-profile basketball tournament in Beijing in December.

"It'll definitely open my eyes to the outside world because I've never been out of the country before," senior Trey Wertz said.

On Wednesday morning, the team hit the court to work in another practice before the trip.

Wertz was one of the players banking shots off the glass. He hopes the extra practice will help his team score a big win in China.

"I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity just to go over there free of expense," Wertz said.

The trip is free because Providence Day is being sponsored by a Chinese marketing company that handpicked the school for the tournament.

Only three U.S. teams made the cut, and the private school's solid academics and athletics landed it in the lineup.

The trip comes with a warning from coach Brian Field, who is encouraging his players to be careful.

Earlier this month, three UCLA players were jailed in China for stealing.

"I think we're all good kids and we just know what to do,” Wertz said. “I think the team will be fine. We're just excited to go."

It’s certainly a special trip for the players, but it's also a special day for the coach, who helped bring the team this far.

"Today is the anniversary of my father's death. He died 18 years ago,” Field said. “Personally, I played here years ago and he was a major influence in my life; always sat right across here, so practicing in the old gym on the anniversary of his death, it's a perfect day to remember him."

Providence Day has already won a major state tournament that's ranked as one of the five toughest to win in the entire country. The team hopes it’s a sign that it's ready for the big stage now.

While the students are in China, they're also going to make some cultural stops, and the Great Wall is high on their itinerary.

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