A high school basketball team in North Carolina ensured its biggest fan had a moment he would never forget:
High school basketball team gives its biggest fan an unforgettable moment
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Mitchell Greathouse, a senior at Freedom High in Morganton, was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy as an infant, but his spirit and determination wouldn’t let that stop him from taking the court. On Tuesday night his number was called, and Greathouse was ready to deliver the most meaningful assist of the night.
The team, the school, and Freedom High’s opponents ensured the moment was as special as possible. The crowd went wild, players on the team had smiles from ear to ear, and the PA announcer was ready to call the play like any other of the evening.
This moment was more than just about giving Greathouse a chance to shine, it was his motivation. The Charlotte Observer spoke to Freedom High teacher Meghan Welty about how she used Mitchell’s love of basketball as a motivation tool:
“So,” Welty said, “I got together with (Coach Rogers) and said, ‘If he can take 50 steps, would you allow him to play?’ He said, ‘Of course.’ ”
The pair worked together. Normally it’s difficult for Mitchell to take 25 steps, but meeting each day, they slowly built up the strength to walk onto the court and make the pass.
“That night was amazing,” Welty said. “We live in a small town and the gym was packed full and the student section was full and they all had hand-made signs. I expected that Wednesday, when I got to school, that it would be crazy. But it’s Friday, three days later, and it’s still the talk here.
Students at the school are trying to shine a brighter spotlight on Mitchell, not just for making the pass, but for the person he is. Their next goal: They want Ellen DeGeneres to take notice and put their classmate on her show.
See More:
