Special Olympians take center stage at Plymouth High hoops event

 Special Olympians take center stage at Plymouth High hoops event

Albert Zhou connected on this jump shot for the Star Bursts in the first game of a double-header Monday night at Plymouth High School.

Playing in front of close to 500 spectators, four local Special Olympics basketball teams (and cheerleaders) produced a night filled with joy and memories Monday night on the Plymouth High School basketball court.

In a hoops double-header organized by the Plymouth High School Class of 2025 Student Council, Special Olympians wowed the crowd and a large student cheering section with mid-range jumpers that hit nothing but net, driving layups and priceless smiles that lit up the gymnasium.

“It turned out better than I ever could have imagined,” said Derek Hoffman, a Plymouth High School counselor and the advisor for Plymouth’s 2025 Student Council.

“Initially, I thought we might have 30 students in the student section, and parents and siblings of the athletes watching from the stands. But there were probably close to 80 students in the cheering section and I’d say 350-plus spectators. It was amazing.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime experience’

“The best part was having parents of the athletes come up to me and tell me this was a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience for their kids. I heard that and I was like, ‘Whew!’ It feels good to give them a platform to play in front such a large crowd.”

Shooting Stars player Nicholas Porter brings the ball up court against Super Stars player Grant Devore
Shooting Stars player Nicholas Porter brings the ball up court against Super Stars player Grant Devore

Plymouth High students went all-in on the event, which included Wildcat cheerleaders, an announcer, pre-game introductions and the robust cheering section that exploded with support whenever a team made a basket.

(To check out video highlights from Monday’s event, click here.)

A lot of Wildcats pitched in

The game was reffed by members of Plymouth’s boys and girls varsity basketball teams.

Delaney Israel said she loves basketball and cheers for the Detroit Pistons and Kaitlin Clark
Delaney Israel said she loves basketball and cheers for the Detroit Pistons and Kaitlin Clark

“My grandma (Majida Ayoub) was a special education teacher for close to 30 years before she retired about five years ago, so it was fun to be around these special athletes again,” said Plymouth varsity basketball player Ali Hider. “A lot of these Special Olympians come to our games, so I thought it would be fun to volunteer at one of their games.”

Canton resident Delaney Israel scored two points and chased down multiple rebounds for the Area 23 All-Stars.

“I love basketball,” Israel said, who said her favorite player is Kaitlin Clark and her favorite team is the Detroit Pistons. “I get to shoot hoops and make new friends.”

Student section provided spectacular support

Plymouth Student Cheering Section Leaders Jimmy Cleveland, Drew Niemiec and Quinn Fitchett said there was nothing they’d rather be doing Monday night than providing support for athletes who derive joy from sports — regardless of the final score.

Plymouth Student Cheering Section Leaders Jimmy Cleveland Drew Niemiec and Quinn Fitchett
Plymouth Student Cheering Section Leaders Jimmy Cleveland Drew Niemiec and Quinn Fitchett

“I actually took an art class with some of the players my freshman year and it was so much fun bonding with them building a connection,” Niemiec said. “I loved watching them have fun, no matter if they made a shot or missed.”

Cleveland, who has also volunteered multiple times for the Plymouth football program’s Sunshine Skills Camp designed for kids and adults with special needs, said once he heard about the event from Hoffman, he said, “Let’s go!”

“I love that they got an opportunity to play in front of such a large crowd,” Cleveland said. “They love sports, so they deserve our support.”

Fitchett concurred with his two fellow student section leaders.

“As an athlete, I know I appreciate support from the fans, so it was nice to be able to do something like this for the athletes who played tonight.”

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.

Pictured are Area 23 cheerleaders and their coaches who performed between games of the doubleheader
Pictured are Area 23 cheerleaders and their coaches who performed between games of the doubleheader

Ed Wright

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