High school players take the court when Special Olympics basketball opponents don't show

Kristie Wilkin
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

NEWCOMERSTOWN − On a recent Tuesday evening, the Tuscarawas County Special Olympics basketball team was to play a Zanesville team at Newcomerstown High School. The varsity basketball coaches were setting up the gym and the Rockets were warming up for game. Members of the pep band came in as did some community members. However, the opponent did not. It turns out, signals were crossed and the Zanesville team was waiting for the Rockets in their gym.

However, the Rockets would not be disappointed that night.

“I was unsure what to do but started to look at the extra uniforms I had brought," said Richelle Lefler, a teacher and local coordinator of Tuscarawas County Special Olympics.

Trojans who jumped in and played so the Rockets would be able to go on with the game included Tanner Smith, Clayton Fish, Mason Sharrock, Watson Elder, Achilles the Trojan mascot, Damion Newkirk, Braelyn Fish, and Jaidyn Peoples and Jeremiah Caughy, in the back.
Trojans who jumped in and played so the Rockets would be able to go on with the game included Tanner Smith, Clayton Fish, Mason Sharrock, Watson Elder, Achilles the Trojan mascot, Damion Newkirk, Braelyn Fish, and Jaidyn Peoples and Jeremiah Caughy, in the back.

Braelyn Fish and Jaidyn Peoples, who play on the Newcomerstown High School girls varsity team, jumped in and offered to play. Boys basketball assistant coach Lee Fish quickly recruited three members of the boys' team who wanted to play as well.

But this was only the first gesture of support from the Trojans.

More members of the boys' basketball team came as did coaches Zeb Troyer and Andrew Stahl. Achilles, the Trojan mascot, put on a show and even played for a bit during the game.

The pep band played and the crowd cheered and applauded.

"The whole evening meant so much to me. To see all my athletes smiling and enjoying themselves made me feel like the evening was everything we could hope for, even if it veered away from our original plan," Lefler said. "To see former students, now teenagers, contributing positively to society made me feel so proud as I fondly remembered their elementary years."

Troyer said it was a wonderful experience and one he was proud to be a part of with his coaching staff and players. His varsity basketball players felt the same.

“It was a fun environment and fun time; I would love to do it again," said Trojan player Tanner Smith.

"Sometimes we have bad days, sometimes good days and then there are the magical ones, and this day was certainly magical for myself and the Rockets,” Lefler concluded.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: High school basketball players step up to help Special Olympics team