It was a night a basketball team in Boonville, North Carolina, won’t ever forget.James Lane, who has autism, is a senior and has been the manager of the Starmount High School men’s basketball team for two seasons now.”He’s always happy and putting a smile on everyone’s face,” said team captain Zack Armstrong. At the game against East Wilkes High School on Monday night, James’ role changed. “We knew it would be fun,” said his mother, Melissa Lane. “But it was so much more than that.” Starmount’s physical education teacher, Coach Cook, teamed up with the basketball coach, Avery Wallis, to take James off of the sidelines and put him into the game. Cook said James loves playing basketball in gym class, and he wanted him to have a chance to play in the school game. The highlight of the night wasn’t just seeing him on the court. It was when he earned two of the 46 points scored to win the game. The crowd went absolutely wild. “It was amazing,” James said. “Very loud!””Our community and the East Wilkes community came together to support him, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Melissa. “He’s a product of love and support, and that’s what it’s all about.” It was a memorable moment, with roars from the entire gym, that no one on the court or in the crowd will ever forget.”Him making that shot — there are no words to describe the happiness that brought him and his teammates,” said Starmount basketball player Cole Longworth. “It was an awesome moment.” James’ parents said he will be returning to Starmount in the fall to be a cheerleader for the Rams.
It was a night a basketball team in Boonville, North Carolina, won’t ever forget.
James Lane, who has autism, is a senior and has been the manager of the Starmount High School men’s basketball team for two seasons now.
“He’s always happy and putting a smile on everyone’s face,” said team captain Zack Armstrong.
At the game against East Wilkes High School on Monday night, James’ role changed.
“We knew it would be fun,” said his mother, Melissa Lane. “But it was so much more than that.”
Starmount’s physical education teacher, Coach Cook, teamed up with the basketball coach, Avery Wallis, to take James off of the sidelines and put him into the game. Cook said James loves playing basketball in gym class, and he wanted him to have a chance to play in the school game.
The highlight of the night wasn’t just seeing him on the court. It was when he earned two of the 46 points scored to win the game. The crowd went absolutely wild. “It was amazing,” James said. “Very loud!”
“Our community and the East Wilkes community came together to support him, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Melissa. “He’s a product of love and support, and that’s what it’s all about.”
It was a memorable moment, with roars from the entire gym, that no one on the court or in the crowd will ever forget.
“Him making that shot — there are no words to describe the happiness that brought him and his teammates,” said Starmount basketball player Cole Longworth. “It was an awesome moment.”
James’ parents said he will be returning to Starmount in the fall to be a cheerleader for the Rams.
