Special Olympics at Somers : Everyone Wins

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Special Olympics Slideshow

On Wednesday March 19, the Somers Tuskers Special Olympics team hosted Lakeland at the high school, and the home team came away with a 30-22 victory. But the real outcome was not on the scoreboard, according to one spectator.

“Everyone of them are winners,” said Laura Fang, who beamed over the performance of her daughter Esme Manuele

All the players having her appreciation too, Fang wasn’t the only admirer of her Tusker star. “Esme facilitates the ball to everyone,” said Coach Vinny DiFilippo. “We are so proud of her.”

Even so, a fissure was revealed in the coach player relationship. “He’s a real troublemaker,” asserted the point guard.

Of course, the affection in the high schoolers eyes, smile and tone obviously told a completely different story. But the determined baller was pretty straight forward about why Somers should come see her play. “Because I’m the best,” Esme did not hold back

Maybe the real troublemaker, the coach set the record straight. “She is the best,” DiFilippo assured.

Then like any good basketball team, success means sharing. “We have so much fun,” said the assistant football coach at Somers.

A sentiment that is top down, according to Fang. “He always has a smile on his face and words of encouragement, while being a great mentor,” said the Amawalk, NY mom.

She doesn’t overlook the difficulty of always bringing the enthusiasm either. “Even at 4:30, after a long day at work,” Fang really appreciates DiFilippo and the commitment of all the coaches.

Still, the kids mean business like the rest of Tuskers who occupy the Somers fields of play. “They come to practice, they practice hard and follow directions,” said the proud coach.

Assistant Coach Cailean Nolan is down with the program too. “We teach them teamwork, and how to work together,’ said the Somers JV basketball coach

So during the game, the players work the fundamentals. The open players have their hands up, and the facilitators don’t just use their ears and eyes to make good. They snap the pass just like the varsity, and when the shot goes up, Elephants are up in arms with their trunks for the rebound. “It’s amazing to see,” said the former Walter Panas Basketball player.

She even sees a possible addition to next year's JV roster. “She might have to make an appearance on the bench,” Nolan said of Esme.

A decision for another day, the hard work doesn’t just get results on the court. The Somers faithful in the stands reap the rewards too. “These are the most inspiring athletes I’ve ever seen,” said Chuck Armstrong. “This is better than the NCAA tournament.”

His son Will included, Dad was able to remain balanced about his boy’s performance. “He was great until he ran out of gas,” joked Armstrong.

On the other hand, he had no such objectivity when it came to seeing all the smiles. “It warms your heart and makes you so happy that we have such a wonderful community,” Dad clarified.

One that Nolan is proud to be part of and seeing all the emotion solidifies the feeling. “It’s so much fun to see all the smiles because they are really enjoying the game of basketball,” she asserted.

That said, her boss on the bench sees no reason to contain the happiness to just those that are currently involved. “If you know anybody who wants to come join us, we’d absolutely love it,” DiFilippo concluded. “We have such a blast.”

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