Spencerport basketball team shows true sportsmanship

Spencerport basketball team shows true sportsmanship

Over the last few weeks, much well deserved attention has been given to 17 year-old Greece Athena senior Jason McElwain, also known as J-Mac, for his basketball success. But a piece of this story lies largely untold, the story of how the opposing Spencerport team showed true sportsmanship and respect for Jason, who is autistic, in his moment of glory.

One month before this momentous game, Spencerport Coach Josh Harter received a call from Athena Coach Jim Johnson. Johnson explained about a game planned to be Exceptional Senior Night. During their conversation, Johnson asked Harter about giving Jason an opportunity to play that night. "Jim asked me what I thought about suiting up Jason to play during this game," Harter said. "I was all for it. We all have known Jason for years and thought it would be a great opportunity for him to play," Harter said.

Coach Harter shared this news with his team. Jason's reputation was well known. Some of the Spencerport team members such as Billy Gushue, a senior, have known Jason since they began high school. "I've known him since we were in ninth grade," Billy said. Tom Brado, a Spencerport junior, described Jason as the team ambassador. "He's always there shaking everyone's hands," said Tom.

Jason was known to many basketball players as the Athena team manager and, more importantly, the team motivator. But, he was not known for his basketball abilities; he had never played a varsity basketball game before. So, on February 15, when he came onto the court to play, "We knew we were going to respect Jason and his moment," said Doug Potter, a Spencerport player and sophomore.

Jason's basketball talent took the Spencerport team by surprise, and the players were amazed at his triumphs. Jason made six 3-point shots and one 2-point shot in less than four minutes. Jon Schreiner, a Spencerport senior, guarded Jason during this game. "I didn't want to be the bad guy and block his shots. But Jason earned his points. He made all his shots, one was from NBA range," Jon said. As Tom watched Jason sink his famous 3-pointers, he could not believe what he saw, "I would not have believed this was happening if I did not see it with my own eyes. I went with the moment. I clapped and laughed and cheered Jason on." Doug also guarded Jason, "I didn't block his shots. It wasn't about me, it was all for him," Doug said. Billy was also overwhelmed, "I felt like we weren't the opposing team because we were all cheering for Jason," said Billy.

The team was also amazed at how both the Athena and Spencerport communities came together to cheer Jason on. "This was not about basketball," Jon Schreiner said, "this was about Jason having his moment that he has waited for his whole life."

"It was a phenomenal moment," Harter said. "The atmosphere was charged with energy. It was truly amazing to see two communities celebrating Jason. I was so proud of our guys and how they took pleasure in someone else's accomplishment."

Many life lessons were learned that night. Harter described the game as "a game we will never forget. Sometimes coaches and players get caught up in the wins and losses. But during this game, our players embraced the moment. These players are great guys. I know that when they leave our school they will be successful people in life because of what they showed us on the court during this game," said Harter.

Helping others is something that the team has done throughout the season. Many of the players volunteer their time to help teach and coach younger players at a Saturday morning Junior Hoops program through Ogden Recreation. This year, the team's annual Point Pledge Fundraiser rose over $4,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Over the past few weeks, Harter and the team have received many accolades from across the country, from e-mails to letters and phone calls to personal visits. "A coach from Tennessee sent me an e-mail congratulating the team on their sportsmanship," said Harter. Johnson offered his acknowledgment to the Spencerport team and coach. "I would like to congratulate the Spencerport boys' basketball team and their coach, Josh Harter, for the wonderful sportsmanship they demonstrated in the game. To me, it was the essence of what high school sports is about," said Johnson.

The most meaningful recognition came when Johnson and Athena's players made a visit to the Spencerport team's end of season banquet. "A parent contacted me before the banquet and said that the Athena team wanted to present a token of their appreciation," said Harter. At the banquet, Johnson, Jason and team members presented Harter and the team with a sportsmanship and class act award. "We had no idea this was going to happen. It was awesome for Athena to give us this credit," said Tom. "It showed character and class for these guys to show up," said Billy.

Many different stories are circulating about what the future holds for Jason McElwain. Some say a movie deal is in the works. When asked about this movie possibility, some of the Spencerport players jumped at the opportunity to play themselves. Billy said, "I want to be in this movie." Jon agreed, "I would too," he concurred.

While the movie may tell Jason's story, the most important ending for the Spencerport team is told by Coach Harter, "I am so proud of our team and how they represented our school and community by what they showed us on the court that night," he said.