SOMERS, N.Y. - On Wednesday, March 19, the Somers Tuskers Special Olympics team hosted Lakeland at the high school, and the home team came away with a 30-22 victory.
But the real outcome was not on the scoreboard, according to one spectator.
Even so, a fissure was revealed in the coach-player relationship.
“He’s a real troublemaker,” asserted the point guard.
She doesn’t overlook the difficulty of always bringing enthusiasm, either.
“Even at 4:30, after a long day,” Fang really appreciates DiFilippo and the commitment of all the coaches.
Still, the kids mean business like the rest of Tuskers who occupy the Somers fields of play.
“They come to practice, they practice hard and follow directions,” said the proud coach.
Assistant Coach Cailean Nolan is down with the program too.
“We teach them teamwork, and how to work together,’ said the Somers JV basketball coach
During the game, the players work on the fundamentals. The open players have their hands up, and the facilitators don’t just use their ears and eyes to make good. They snap the pass just like the varsity, and when the shot goes up, Elephants are up in arms with their trunks for the rebound.
“It’s amazing to see,” said the former Walter Panas basketball player.
She even sees a possible addition to next year's JV roster. “She might have to make an appearance on the bench,” Nolan said of Esme.
A decision for another day, the hard work doesn’t just get results on the court. The Somers faithful in the stands reap the rewards too.
“These are the most inspiring athletes I’ve ever seen,” said Chuck Armstrong. “This is better than the NCAA tournament.”
His son Will included, dad was able to remain balanced about his boy’s performance.
“He was great until he ran out of gas,” joked Armstrong.
On the other hand, he had no such objectivity when it came to seeing all the smiles.
“It warms your heart and makes you so happy that we have such a wonderful community,” dad clarified.
One that Nolan is proud to be part of and seeing all of the emotion solidifies the feeling.
“It’s so much fun to see all the smiles because they are really enjoying the game of basketball,” she asserted.
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