MOUNT VERNON — Basketball aficionados who are sticklers for the rules, who want every foul, double dribble, and traveling violation whistled, must adjust to the leeway allowed Special Olympics athletes.
On the other hand, men and women playing their hearts out, stopping to clap and cheer for themselves and their opponents on every basket, playing a game that would have made James Naismith proud, is a universal joy.
“Probably the hardest part (of refereeing) is adapting to the skill set of the players,” explained Chris Fox, accountant by day, volunteer referee by night. “Their skills are not typical.”
Cox’s partner in pinstripes, Joey Tickle, never gave a second thought to the best part of the job.
“It is so much fun,” he said.
The officials looked at each other, smiled and, in unison, said, “They even cheer for the other team.”
Max, who plays for the Knox County Eagles, emphasized teamwork as he looked at the Special Olympics medal around his neck.
“It is the camaraderie; you know, we work together as a team. They watch your back, and you watch theirs,” he said.
Valuable life lessons
Max offered life lessons everyone would do well to follow.
“Hardwork, determination. Believing in myself. Good shots don’t come instantly. There will be times when you hit or miss, but as long as you keep trying, keep it up and stick it out, keep making the commitment, it will come,” he said.
Talisha Beha carries a title that just remembering could be considered a job in itself.
“I am the Knox County Special Olympics Coordinator for the Knox County Board of DD (Developmental Disabilities),” Beha said. “I also do family engagement and community integration.”
As long as individuals can participate safely, athletes 16 and older can sign up for team basketball.
“We don’t do tryouts. We have three practices at the beginning of the season to assess skill level and safe playability,” Beha explained.
This year, Knox County has one team competing; the number of teams is determined by the number of athletes who sign up.
Beha, who has been at her post for just over two years, said watching the players grow together is the most rewarding aspect of what she does.
“A lot of your players love to shoot the ball,” Beha said. “Tonight, 90 percent of them were passing.
“Seeing them start to trust their teammates and develop that team atmosphere has really been a rewarding part of the job.”
The final score? Knox County 62, Morrow County 30.
It’s a long way from 1891 when James Naismith hung two peach baskets at opposite ends of a gymnasium, at a Springfield, Massachusetts YMCA, exactly 10 feet off the floor.
Then again, maybe it’s not.
(Photos by Dan Werner)
