Sports Week: Page 3

This story's from a couple of weeks ago, but it's so good it deserves to be repeated.

There are few basketball players who have the ability to score 20 points. There are far fewer who could do it in 4 minutes. And there's only one that I know of that is autistic.

Jason McElwain is. Jason is Greece Athena High School's student manager, and probably somewhat of a mascot. Always there, always helping, always keeping spirits up. He did everything and anything for the team, as long as he was there to be a part of the team. The coach wanted to repay Jason for all of his hard work and devotion by allowing him to play in a game, but the team was on the verge of a division title, so there were no guarantees. But coach told Jason to suit up, because...well, you never know.

Well, the time did come. Sure it was mop-up time, but what the hell. They were up, and the students were chanting his name and had signs bearing his name. What's the worst that could happen, right? The worst is how it started anyway. An errant 3 pointer followed by a missed lay-up. Then it started.

Three after three. Six out of ten actually. Should have been 7, but the ref said his foot was on the line. After it was all said and done, he had grabbed 20 points and the hearts of everyone in the stands. His teammates carried him off the court on their shoulders.

His reaction? "I ended my career on the right note." I'll say you did. Good job Jason, and good luck in the future in whatever you do. And if it includes basketball, don't let anyone tell you to stop shooting.