Special Olympics Homecoming Day Basketball Game at WPHS
On Thursday, April 24, about 300 people gathered in the Harry Jefferson Gym to watch the Homecoming Day Basketball Game for Special Olympics at White Plains High School between the Tigers and Sleepy Hollow Horsemen. The Tigers varsity spring sports participants from baseball, softball and lacrosse also attended in support of the Special Olympic athletes.
The Tigers outlasted the Horsemen, 61-60, to win the Homecoming Day basketball game. Nevertheless, it was the talents and sportsmanship displayed by these student/athletes with disabilities that was the highlight of the day.
The Special Olympic players for both teams scored a combined 121 points in the game with a variety of shots that included hook shots, layups, and jump shots and remarkably three-point shots from behind the arc as well.
Of course, it took a lot of hard work and practice for the Special Olympic athletes with disabilities to develop these skills and nobody was happier for them on Homecoming Day than their coaches who helped them learn these skills.
“We had a public address announcer, cheerleaders, mascot and a disc jockey enhancing the event on Special Olympics Homecoming Day,” stated White Plains Special Olympics Head Coach Kevin Brown. “It was a great day and the Special Olympic players were the center of attention. I love this work, it is very rewarding and these students are the best to work with. They just want to be included and have fun,” said Brown, who is in his sixth season coaching Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics student/athletes from White Plains attend White Plains High School as part of the Strategy for Adults Independent Living (SAIL) Program.
During the year, besides basketball, the Special Olympics student/athletes with disabilities also compete in indoor soccer in the fall, floor hockey in the winter, volleyball in the spring and have a dance at the end of the school year.
