Accessible basketball completes year 2

RUSSELLVILLE — Fifteen players took the court over four Saturdays at the Ralph C. Bishop Center for this year’s round of accessible basketball games.

“The kids love it, and it lets them take part in a recreational sport,” said Emily Davis, mother of one of the players.

Her 12-year-old son, Noah, attends Russellville Elementary, has cerebral palsy and travels with a wheelchair. He also plays baseball at an accessible field in Muscle Shoals.

“When I tell him it’s time for basketball, there’s just a smile on his face the entire game,” Davis said.

For some families, getting to activities after work can be difficult, she said. Inside the gym, though, the atmosphere stays upbeat.

“The buddies for our kids have smiles on their faces the whole time,” Davis said.

The game is adapted so each player can take part.

“They bring out the smaller goals and lean them over so Noah can shoot the ball,” Davis said. “That really makes him happy.”

Over the season, Noah has built friendships with other players.

“He learned their names, and he cheered them when they were making shots,” Davis said.

Zeb Nichols enjoys playing basketball.

Another parent, Andrea Nicholson, spoke about her son, Zeb. She said he asked almost every day when his next game would be. The games give him more opportunities to play and are closer to home.

Nicholson said Zeb also enjoy baseball, being outside, swinging and jumping on the trampoline, but she said he thinks basketball is his favorite sport.

“It has just been wonderful not only for the kids but the parents,” she said.

For Lisa Tutich, whose 7-year-old son Hayden attends New Life Homeschool, the program offered a chance they had not found elsewhere.

“We had tried another sport in the past, but it did not go well,” Tutich said. “I was so excited to have a way to get him involved.”

Since his first season, Hayden’s confidence on the court has grown.

“When he started playing, he was timid on the court and mainly just ran around enjoying being there, but this year he is a bit of a ball hog and we have to remind him to share and pass the ball,” Tutich said.

She said the program’s approach makes the difference.

“They have cultivated an environment that is fun and encouraging and lets him learn a new sport at his pace,” she said.

Asked how Hayden feels about playing, Tutich said he is excited.

“He loves scoring baskets and getting cheered for,” she said.

That encouragement, she said, is part of what stands out about the games.

“Different people came to support and cheer them on,” Tutich said.

Small adjustments also help make the experience easier for her son.

“Giving them extra chances to score and also they stop the clock, so the loud buzzer does not go off,” Tutich said. “He doesn’t do well if the loud buzzer goes off.”

Tutich said she is thankful for the people who helped make the program possible.

“I am so thankful for Denese Gault and the coaches for all they have done to start this team,” she said.

Kaylee Brannon, varsity and junior varsity cheer coach at Russellville High School and a special education teacher at West Elementary said Parks and Rec employee Denese Gault reached out to her about getting the cheerleaders involved. Brannon said it was an easy “yes.”

She said that over the past two years, Coach Jermaine Groce has brought the Lady Varsity Golden Tigers to play the Rockets.

Senior co-captain Lily Cate Pace said cheering for the Rockets left a lasting impression.

“Cheering on the Rockets is one of the sweetest experiences I’ve ever been a part of,” Pace said.