Jason McElwain-one of the best I've ever heard.

[FBPro]

(I looked and didn't see this posted here before, if I missed it sorry to repeat it).
I originally heard this yesterday on Dan Patrick's espnradio show.
Athena Senior Inspires
by Jim Aroune
courtesy: Greece Central School Dist.
Published Feb 17, 2006
They may never stop talking about what they witnessed Wednesday at Greece Athena's final home boys varsity basketball game of the season.

And that would be a good thing.

Some in attendance at Athena's game against Spencerport will say it played out like a Hollywood script; like "Rudy," or "Radio;" stories about a long-shot and a waterboy who inspired their teams by not letting their shortcomings stop them from giving their all.

In what Jason McElwain did during the waning moments of the "Senior Night" at Athena, there may be much more.

Jason is the trainer for the Athena varsity team. So dedicated is Jason, he has not missed a game or practice in the three years he's served the team.

Wednesday for "Senior Night," Athena coach Jim Johnson had Jason suit up for the game. He sat excitedly on the bench in his school colors, number 52; an acknowledgement of Jason's commitment to the program.

Athena moved to a comfortable 20-point lead against Spencerport. With the home crowd calling and classmates waving signs of support, Johnson called down the bench to number 52. Jason, headband and all, headed out onto the court.

"I just wanted to score a basket," McElwain said.

"I"m just sitting there saying `Let him score just one point,'" his mom, Deb said.

With the help of his teammates, Jason stared down a shot from the corner. The entire Athena bench, and every person in the gym rose.

Jason missed.. by six feet.

Moments later, Jason grabbed another pass and let it rain. The shot, from beyond the three-point arc, swished straight through. In unison, those in the gym screamed.

In the game's final four minutes, Jason shot five more times from behind the three-point arc. He made them all. Each time, teammates on the bench would hold their heads and scream, fans would stomp, tears would flow.

Jason scored 20 points. He set an Athena record with a half-dozen three-pointers. His teammates and friends stormed the court. They raised him on their shoulders... wide-eyed and in awe of what they had seen. They asked Jason for his autograph.

" I was focused on the game. You gotta be focused on the game. Not anything else," Jason said.

What made Jason being "in the zone" Wednesday not just another shooting streak is that he is autistic.

What his example will do for others with autism is a story yet to be told. Justin's mother believes it will mean great things for her son.

"Once the severe autistic child can break through, they can live in this world. Just like anyone else," Deb McElwain said.

As for Justin, whose teammates gave him the nickname "J-Mac" (as in Syracuse University guard Gerry "G-Mac" McNamara), his senior moment may continue to move his teammates in their pursuit of a post-season title. Coach Johnson hopes so.

"It was truly the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life."

Greece Central School District

[WVUFAN]

Absolutely amazing story. To see the reaction from the crowd when he hit those points is something else.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1339324.shtml

There's a film of the game where he hits his 3 pointers.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thanks WVU -- I had heard the story but hadn't seen the footage. It really makes the story even better.

There were no gimmes in the streak, as one of the local articles pointed out "It should be noted that ... Spencerport did not sit back and allow Jason to score."

That, along with the awesome crowd reaction, is what really jumped out at me from the video & turned this from a good story to one that brought tears to my eyes.

BTW, from that same article "Disney officials called Jason's parents, Dave and Debbie McElwain, on Thursday afternoon to inquire about the possibility of doing a movie."

[Butter]

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

[KWhit]

Wow. That video footage is unbelievable.

Thanks for sharing.

[FrogMan]

wow, goosebumps reading that story. Thanks for sharing.

FM

[George]

Incredible!

[Eaglesfan27]

Tears coming to my eyes. I'm going to save this clip to my harddrive as well as the story and show it to some of my autistic patients and their families.

Thank you for sharing.

[rkmsuf]

That's awesome.

[Senator]

Nice.

[BuffaloHuskey]

As a former Rochester resident, I am particulary proud that the coach gave this kid a chance to play in the game. Athena is actually a solid basketball program and their are some coaches out their that would not have given this kid a chance.

I can see the kid winning the special ESPY award that they give out for situtations similar to this. I think it is a sportsmanship award our something to the effect.

[oliegirl]

Truly inspiring.

[TLK]

This is a great story....

[John Galt]

That is really a great story and the video definitely makes it better.

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by BuffaloHuskey

As a former Rochester resident, I am particulary proud that the coach gave this kid a chance to play in the game. Athena is actually a solid basketball program and their are some coaches out their that would not have given this kid a chance.

I can see the kid winning the special ESPY award that they give out for situtations similar to this. I think it is a sportsmanship award our something to the effect.

I will give him the ESPY now.. Truly amazing story I can't get enough of.. If any of us could hit 6/7 in a gym with nobody I would be surprised..

[FBPro]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

I will give him the ESPY now.. Truly amazing story I can't get enough of.. If any of us could hit 6/7 in a gym with nobody I would be surprised..

Concur.....