Every team dreams of winning a state championship. On Jan. 11, 2015, D99 Hoops will compete for a bid to the State Basketball Tournament. Formerly known as the DGN, DGS, and Transition 99 teams, D99 Hoops consists of students with special needs from DGN, DGS, and the Transition program.

District 99 has offered Special Olympics basketball for over five years, but until last year, the teams only consisted of DGS and Transition students.

Each team in the program competes at different levels based on their basketball skills and abilities. Special Olympics coaches and coordinators determine level placements for each team in the state, ranging from division one to division ten.

For D99 Hoops, there are three different levels of teams.

“Players on team three may need some assistance with understanding the game and they may not feel 100% comfortable on the court, players on team two feel comfortable on the court and understand all of the rules, while players on team one are the most aggressive and play the game at a very high level,” DGN special education teacher Kim Jaros said.

Instead of three individualized school teams, there are now three district teams, which allow students from any building the opportunity to play with other students at the same level.

“The restructure of our basketball program was put into place to give each athlete the best opportunity to be successful. I find myself fortunate enough to be part of a district that values each student regardless of their ability level in the classroom or on the athletic field,” Transition teacher Arthur Drenth said.

The players are happy with the new direction of the program.

“I like hanging out with my friends and I look forward to going to practice and just playing basketball,” sophomore M.J. Gilbert said.

DGN parents agree with the changes made to the program by the coaches. Parents play a major role in these games by building up a great fan section and supporting  each and every player regardless of what happens on the floor.

Jan Maresh, the mother of DGN student and team three player Patrick Maresh, is one of the parent leaders.

“I am so proud of Patrick and so honored to be a part of the D99 Hoops Fan Club. Everyone involved should be commended for their efforts. Every game is entertaining and such a feel good event,” Maresh said. “Not only have I met some great parents, but we all celebrate with all the kids’ effort and achievements. There isn’t that feeling of competition in the stands– it’s all support and encouragement for both sides.”

In the eyes of the parents, D99 Hoops is not only about improving the skills of the players; it is about teaching each and every player important life lessons that will be valuable later in life.

“We think that D99 Hoops has helped Jack learn about being committed to others in a team environment. He has to commit to a practice schedule and support his team,” Tim Larson said about his son Jack Larson, a DGN student also a player on team three.

Certain aspects of a team are what drive both Tim and Connie Larson into pushing Larson to continue to play on the team.
“Jack has benefited from belonging to a team and being recognized with a team uniform. He and his teammates enjoy the support of the other students that show up to each game and cheer. It is really remarkable to watch as a parent,” C. Larson said.

One of the most appreciative parents of D99 Hoops is Maresh, who credited the team with helping her son build skills that will help him later in life.

“[My son] Patrick has learned a lot about teamwork, taking turns, working together, but most importantly, he has developed a sense of camaraderie with all of those involved with the team. As an aside, he has learned to play basketball,” Maresh said.

Maresh is appreciative of the opportunities D99 Hoops has given her son throughout his tenure at DGN.

“It’s a great feeling to see your student with special needs included and treated like a typical student-athlete. I am grateful for the opportunity and am so glad that Patrick has had this experience to develop. [I am grateful for] the guidance and enthusiasm of Coach Jaros, Coach Geraghty, and all the student coaches,” Maresh said.

All of the coaches have their eyes set on a trip down to Illinois State University to play some of the best teams in the state with the hopes of bringing home a state championship. They are preparing their teams for a competitive district tournament, in which they need to get first place in their division to qualify for state.

“As much as our three teams would love to make it to the state tournament, we are grateful for the teamwork and skill improvement that our players have demonstrated this season.  We have had about forty players from the district on our teams this year and look forward to an increase in participation in the years to come,” Jaros said.

Alex Bielawa | Staff Writer

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