For "one shining moment", at least.
Posted on 02/23/2006 12:21:39 PM PST by Bratch
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - An autistic teenager proved hoop dreams can come true. Jason McElwain is the basketball manager for Athena-Greece High School. For three years, he suited up and sat on the sidelines during every game.
On Feb. 15, the coach let him play in the school's final varsity basketball game of the season. What happened on the court surprised everyone.
Jason scored from behind the three-point line. Then he did it again. And again. In all, Jason netted 20 points during the last four minutes of the game.
The crowd went crazy, surging onto the court. Players and audience members lifted Jason onto their shoulders, with a big grin across his face. Jason's secret: stay focused on the game.
"I'm an excellent shooter. Excellent."
That's a very cool story.
bttt
I caught this on ABC this morning. Great video. I had tears running down my face. It is awesome. I bet the coach wishes he'd play'd him before this.
I am so glad you posted this....I heard it on FOX this morning....I find autism very interesting and love working with autistic kids in school.
I heard this story on the radio...how could the coach not have known how good he was...did he never play during practice? I want to know the answer to that.
I saw the video yesterday - just amazing. And heartwarming. The link you provided for the station will pull up a page with a link to the video if anyone is interested.
I was wondering that, too, especially after seeing video of it. Some kids are just bench warmers all year, I guess. Too bad, too, for the whole team.
Hope this works.
There is video at the link...very cool
thanks for posting.
Amazing story. Maybe a movie someday?
My kids made sure I saw the video report on ESPN this morning.
This is the stuff dreams are made of. Give me one of these over a thousand Shani Davises any day.
GREAT STORY.
We would like to see the link....if the video is online.
My understanding was that he was the team manager, not a player.
I saw this on the early news this morning. I was impressed by the fact he was shooting mainly three-point shots. Was an amazing display of shooting.
I'll have my ping list with me later.
Three cheers for this young man!
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