Unlikely superstars

And now, for the feel-good moment of the week.

CBS has a spot featuring a NY state high school student named Jason who's the manager for his basketball team and happens to be autistic. He's sociable and articulate, so he may not seem to fit the commonly-accepted definition of autism, but he's obviously very well-regarded by not only the team who know him well but the rest of the school also. In the team's last game this season, he got the opportunity of his young lifetime by getting suited up. Then his coach surprised everyone by putting him in with 4 minutes to go in the game. The crowd (not to mention the rest of his team) went wild just to see him in the game, and as the team engineered a couple of shot opportunities for him, they went even crazier when his third shot went in for two points. But it wasn't over yet - it was Jason's turn to blow everyone away. He proceeded to hit 6, count 'em 6 three-pointers in the final few minutes of the game, including one last one at the buzzer, at which point the team and the crowd rushed the court and mobbed him in celebration. He had never set foot on the court with the clock running before, and he was flat out on fire, dropping 20 points in under 4 minutes. Amazing!

A similar story was in the Orange County Register in February, about a student named Kevin with cerebral palsy. He was the manager of Fullerton Union High School's basketball team, and like Jason, got to suit up and play at the end of the last game of the season. He also scored and got mobbed by fans and - better yet from his perspective - cheerleaders!

And some people don't get the point of sports. Sheesh...