Big Rewards from Making Basketball Shots in the Steckevicz Gym
February 9, 2018
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop In the front from left are Angela Lavery, Tom Tierney, Caitlyn Santiago, Haley Dufour, Ryan Acevedo, Lauren Loverdi and Lauren Denis. In the back row are Antonio Saavada, Kelly Lavoie and Sara Conrad.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Number 12 Tom Tierney dribbles before he connects for a 3-pointer.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Caitlyn Santiago makes her way toward the hoop.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Everyone from both teams gets involved during the halftime dance program.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Alvirne had scored and the teams head to the other basket.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop On the line for the shot, among some taller players, is Haley Dufour.
by Len Lathrop
Success without the constraints of winning. It is the act of getting the basketball into the hoop that results in a succession of high fives and fist pumps. The athletes jump up and down with the biggest smiles you have ever seen.
The Alvirne Unified team will play five games against West, Memorial, Central, Pinkerton and Hollis-Brookline. Alvirne chose the recreation program status and type of games where the score will always end in a tie; they are joined by 19 schools that selected the less competitive format. Steve Beals, high school principal and team coach, explained that this recreation format aligned with the Alvirne philosophy: character, community, curiosity and commitment.
The athletes are helped by student partners who are on the court assisting the athletes with dribbling, shooting, and having a great time. Some of the funding support for this program is raised during the Penguin Plunge, which was held this week.
Beals noted the importance of being successful in developing relationships between the athletes and partners. Alvirne didn’t need to go to a state tournament to make that happen.
Alvirne is hosting an end-of-season jamboree on Feb. 19 for six to eight schools. The public is invited to enjoy the action, which begins at 3:30 p.m.
