Accessible basketball games for Russellville area youth take place

The first annual accessible basketball game was played recently at the Bishop Center.

About 90 people attended the nonprofit event. They welcomed 10 participants from various schools in the county, as well as cheerleaders from Red Bay High School who traveled to show their support of the Rockets.

Banners hung throughout the gym, and each participant got a picture made. Spectators held signs as each player ran through the smoky spirit tunnel while having their name announced.

The Rockets played three 12-minute periods against a 10U team out of Russellville. Reece Carson, a 2024 Russellville High School graduate, coached the Rockets alongside current Russellville High School senior Richard Scott.

Carson, who currently works as an assistant coach for the Russellville Middle School football team, said it was refreshing to the sport played from a new perspective.

“It’s bigger than basketball,” he said of the game. “As a coach, you want to make an impact that goes past winning and losing a game. I know this event had an impact on the community, and myself as well. Each kid had their own challenges, but yet their attitudes were the same. They were eager to get out there and play and have fun “Coaching in my regular setting, you go in everyday not knowing what to expect,” Carson added. “But with these kids, they always have a smiling face, and we can all learn from that and try to approach every hardship with a positive attitude.”

Carson extended a “thank you” to everyone who came to support the team, to his mother, Denese Gault, for helping to get the event started, and to Aaron Page and his 10U team for volunteering to give the Rockets an opponent.

“That was the biggest crowd any youth league game has had all year,” Carson said. “And it wasn’t just parents that came out. I saw Franklin County unite and show up to support the Rockets.”

The Rockets next game will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Bishop Center.