School
teams take center court
Teams from the
Appoquinimink School District enjoyed Special Olympics Delaware's recent
basketball tournament at the University of Delaware. Cedar Lane won the bronze
medal. Townsend and Silver Lake each won silver medals. Olive B. Loss won a gold
medal. The Middletown High School Team won bronze, Middletown High School Team
Skills won Silver, and Appoquinimink High won Silver as well. An article about
the event appears below.
Article
supplied by: Special Olympics Delaware
Posted:
March 3, 2009
Kayla Miller usually
spends her time in the Delaware Field House arena running up and down the court
as a member of the University of Delaware women's basketball team. But on
Friday, Miller's role was reversed as she and several of her teammates
volunteered their time to referee at the 2009 Special Olympics Delaware School
Team Basketball Tournament.
The Blue Hen players
were joined on the courts by associate head coach Jeanine Radice, assistant
coach Chris Campbell, and director of basketball operations Liz Hayes.
"We are very excited
to have you here at the University of Delaware," Radice told the crowd during
the opening ceremony. "And our players and coaches are looking forward to being
part of your big day. Play hard, have fun and good luck."
It was evident from
their smiles and boundless energy that all of the Blue Hens enjoyed the
experience, but for Miller, who played high school basketball at nearby Ursuline
Academy, it was even more special.
"I played in this
tournament as a Unified Partner for Special Olympics when I attended Redding
Middle School," Miller said at halftime of her first game. "So it's really neat
to be part of this event again."
A majority of the 40
teams attending Friday's tournament had Unified Partners on their roster. A
Unified Partner is a non-disabled peer who participates as a regular member on
the team. The goal of the Unified program is to foster a positive relationship
between people with and without intellectual disabilities.
"I had such a great
time and learned a lot being a Unified Partner back in middle school," Miller
said. "It gave me a much better appreciation of, and respect for, people with
disabilities."
Friday's tournament
showcased school teams from all over the state competing in full- and half-court
games. While Miller's former team was making another return trip to the
tournament, two teams -- Waters Middle School and Lake Forest Central Elementary
-- were experiencing tournament play for the first time.
"We had a great
experience," said Katherine Gerace, head coach for Waters Middle School. "We
can't wait to play in it again."
As Miller looked at
the players on both benches, she quickly pointed out that learning the game and
having fun is what matters most.
"Look at my arms,"
she said with a grin. "I get goosebumps just talking about
it."
And with that
thought in mind, the horn sounded signaling the end of halftime ... and Miller
happily went back to work, goosebumps and all.
Click here to see
pictures from Friday's tournament and check back often, as more will be added
next week.
Pictured
above: UD senior forward Ethlynne Thomas jogs upcourt during Friday's
action.
