Mike Cantone was a 12 years old. He was the youngest of three children with an older brother and sister. Both Mikes’ brother and sister were great athletes. His brother was a star of the boys’ varsity basketball team as a junior. His sister was a star on the girls’ junior varsity basketball team as a freshman. The Cantone family was indeed a basketball family as both Mike’s mom and dad played basketball in college. In fact that is where they meet.

Mike had the same love for the game as did the rest of his family. However, Mike had a handicap. You see; Mike has Cerebral Palsy. He was a high level CP who was in mainstream education. However, he had physical limitations. This never stopped Mike as he fit in with the rest of the sixth graders at Elm Middle School.

The school year was just a couple of months old and the Cantone family was getting very excited. Basketball season was to start on November 11. Both Mikes’ brother and sister had been preparing for the start of the season all summer long.

Mike decided that he was going to try out for the Elm Middle School sixth grade basketball team. He approached his mom and dad with the idea. "What do you think about it," said Mike. Mom was excitedly cautious. She wanted to encourage Mike because she had always told him that although he had a handicap that he could do anything that he put his mind to. She didn’t want him to be disappointed though. Dad on the other hand was all for it. Playing a lot with Mike in the driveway of their house, dad was always amazed at how well Mike could shoot.

You see, Mike had a hard time dribbling the ball. Also, although mobile, he wasn’t the quickest kid around. But he could shoot the ball. "We’ll Mike, if you want to try out for the team them mom and I are with you 100%." "Thanks mom and dad." With that, Mike went out to the driveway to practice his game. You see tryouts were only 2 weeks away.

Hearing from mom and dad that Mike was going to try out for the sixth grade team, his brother and sister decided that they would help Mike practice. They taught him as much as they possibly could about dribbling and playing defense and shooting. They always came away from their practice saying "boy can Mike sure shoot."

After 2 weeks of practice, the day had finally come for sixth grade basketball tryouts. It was Tuesday and the tryouts were to begin at 4 o’clock at the school gym. Mike was so anxious that he pushed his mom to get him there as early as 3.

4 o’clock came and to the surprise of many, only 11 boys came to try out for the team. Mike being one of them of course. The flyers that were posted all around school said that coach Jones was going to take only 10 boys to play on the sixth grade team. Since Tuesday was the only day for tryouts, it looked like only one boy wasn’t going to make the team.

Coach Jones put the team through all different types of basketball drills. Trying to determine who would make the team. As courageous as Mike was, clearly he would be the odd boy out. However, he kept persevering. Mike did excel in the shooting drills however. He kept hitting shots. Which if you know anything about basketball is a good thing.

Coach Jones took the only 10 boys that he could. However, he asked Mike if he wanted to be the team manager so that he can hang around with the other boys. Mike graciously accepted.

The first game of the season was only one week away so the team had to practice every day this week. Bad luck, on the second day of practice, Danny O’Connel broke his ankle. He would be out for the whole season. Although Danny was a good player, he wasn’t a star on this team. He probably would have been the ninth or tenth boy on the bench. Seeing how hard Mike had worked and how committed he was, Coach Jones asked Mike if he would like to take Danny’s spot on the team. Mike didn’t know what to say so he said yes.

Practice was hard for Mike, you know keeping up with the other boys. It was obvious that his handicap would stop him from competing. But he did persevere. He did do well in the shooting drills. Mike could shoot you know.

The 12 game season began and the Elm Middle School sixth grade basketball team was on a roll. They won their first 4 games. Mike didn’t get to play in any of the games. To his credit though he sat on the bench and cheered his team on without any gripes.

After 6 games, the team was in first place. That’s right, first place with just 4 games to go. The first and second place teams in the middle school league would play for the championship and the right to host the leagues’ trophy for a year. It was important that they continue to play hard and play as a team so that they would finish in either first or second place.

One of their star players got sick the day of the big game against Skyline, the second place- team. Mike thought he would get to play in the game. He was disappointed but he didn’t say a word. Elm lost the game by 2 points and they were now in a tie with Skyline for first place. Both teams were 8 and 1.

Two games left to go to assure themselves of playing in the championship game. Unfortunately, they lost their last game of the regular season when a player from Oak Middle School hit a shot at the buzzer to give them a one- point win.

Elm ended the season 10 and 2. Unfortunately, Skyline finished 11 and 1. The regular season title went to Skyline. But Elm still had a chance to win the trophy and the championship.

The day arrived. At 4 PM this afternoon, Elm would play Skyline for the championship and the trophy. The team couldn’t wait. Everyone was anxious. Mike was especially anxious because he had a good feeling about the game. He dreamt the night before that he hit the winning shot at the buzzer to win the championship and all of his teammates mobbed him and cheered for him.

The tip off went to Elm who scored the first two points of the game. It was a see saw battle. Skyline was winning at the half by 6 points. At the end of the third quarter, it was three points. The forth quarter saw Elm go ahead briefly by two points. But Skyline again took the lead.

It was down to the last minute with Skyline clinging to a 2- point lead. Both teams missed shots. Elm got the ball with 5 seconds left on the clock and Coach Jones called a time out. "Mike," he called out. "You’re in." "Me coach," said Mike. "Yes you" said Coach Jones. Coach Jones drew up a play for the team. They all listened intently. "Jimmy, you take the ball out of bounds. Pass it to John. John you turn and fire the ball to Mike. Mike you go and stand in the corner on the right. You know the spot where you always make those shots. Catch the ball and let it fly. Maybe we will win this thing?’

The referee handed the ball to Jimmy, who passed it to John, who in turn mad a hard pass to Mike in the Corner. Mike was wide open as no one paid any attention to him. He caught the ball and launched the three- pointer. SWISH! Mike had done it. He hit the shot that won Elm Middle School the championship and the trophy.