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VALE – We at easternoregonsports.com have been in attendance at championship basketball games. We have sat on the edge of our seat for triple overtime nail biters. We have written stories of blowouts where opposing teams cheered when a first basket was finally scored. But, on Wednesday, May 4, we took a seat at the Vale Middle School to see student athletes from Nyssa, Ontario, and Vale take the court at Support the Court.
The atmosphere was like any other game. Banners of the teams adorned the walls. Family members held up signs of support. The Nyssa band was in attendance playing the school’s fight song. For this big of a game, even a local television station showed up to do a story:
The single difference in this game was many of the student athletes on the floor were joining a team and playing before friends and family for the very first time. Support the Court is back after a three-year hiatus, bringing Malheur County special education students together for an all-star studded event. The athletes from Nyssa and Ontario combined to take on the home Vale squad.
Like any of the numerous games seen this year, there was fast breaks. And long threes. And steals. And lay ups. And players coming off the bench.
The game started like any championship event with players running through a tunnel of supporters. The tip-off went the way of Nyssa/Ontario and the game was on.
Unlike our countless other games this past winter season, the final score is not important. Player stats of points and fouls are not what count. What is important is three communities and countless volunteers came together for one night to fulfill dreams of student athletes to play a game of basketball on a team before their families and friends.
“It was really exciting,” said Joseluis Chavez, a senior and future animator from Nyssa High School. “I learned a skill and there were some really good players out there. I finally made a shot in the game.”
Nyssa’s Brynlee Hartley was one of many students designated as “Unified Player”, helping out when needed for those athletes needing a little encouragement or guidance on the court.
“When I heard about this game, I told me Mom I needed to volunteer,” said Hartley who also had a family member on the court as a special guest official. “It was a fun and rewarding experience.”
“It is great to get these kids back on the court after having the event called off the last few years,” said organizer Nancy Menges.
Menges started Support the Court after moving to Ontario and realizing this area did not have an event like she had in Washington. Since the game’s inception, sponsorship and attendance has grown tremendously.
After having both Ontario and now Vale host the game, next year’s festivities will move to Nyssa.
On a personal note to this article, much is written about the negative in Malheur County. Many complain about our youth not being involved in the community or adults not supporting other towns. For one night at Vale Middle School, all that was forgotten. Three communities came together, volunteered for each other, cheered for each other, all in support of a group of kids needing to know they belong. If you are feeling down from the constant onslaught of negativity regarding our county next year, attend this game in Nyssa. Your thoughts on where we are and the future of the county will be changed in one four-quarter game.
Players of the Game
Nyssa Bulldogs
Jazel Santana
Noemi Castillo
Laney Hartley (Unified Player)
Karissa Medina-Villalba
Arlette Banuelos-Elizondo
Joseluis Chavez
Anahy Zuniga
Roxton Torres
Colton Fales (Unified Player)
Brynlee Hartley (Unified Player)
Orin Stype (Unified Player)
Kate Vineyard (Unified Player)
Ontario Tigers
Jeremy Romayor (Unified Player)
Jared Halley (Unified Player)
Michael Menges
Xiomara Ortega (Unified Player)
Diego Cruz (Unified Player)
Tysen Roldan (Unified Player)
Alexis Wilson (Unified Player)
William Farr
Damian Gomez
Sara Harper
Vale Vikings
Pedro Castro
Autumn Baker
Edgar Jimenez
Phil Levasseur
Karter Glenn-Cunha
Lilanna Borrego
Jayden Jensen
Braiden Parret
CJ Phillips
Ben Raven
Dayten Glenn-Cunha
Brock Kulm
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