As reported by KCBD-TV on its Facebook feed Feb. 5, “An amazing moment happened in last night’s Jayton at Spur boys basketball game” against the Jayton Jaybirds. Sharing video that can be viewed at www.facebook.com/petechristykcbd/videos/481039433420573, sports director Pete Christy described the moment: “It brought both teams together and united fans of both schools to cheer on Spur Senior Brendon Walker.
“ Brendon has autism and last night he suited up for Senior night and played his very first varsity game! That’s so cool, but watch what happened when Brendon got in the game and scored!
“Both teams made sure this was a special night for Brendon!”
While The Texas Spur didn’t have a chance to cover the game, we applaud both teams and appreciate the firsthand view of reader—and top fan—Joan Day.
To the Editors:
It is good to live in a community small enough to come together for special moments like this. Brendon Walker, son of Cammie Walker and CJ Walker, grandson of Leo and Joan Day and Fay and Cal Walker, all of Spur, is a senior at Spur High School.
I know that Brendon’s two points were covered with a video by KCBDs Pete Christy and that video has been watched 78.9 thousands times. I took that video of my grandson beause that’s what grandmothers do, right!—and while two points may not sound like a big deal to some, it was a big deal to the folks in the Spur gym that night.
While Spur and Jayton are rivals in sports, being supportive of each other and coming together for this game became one of the most inspiring events this year during basketball season in my opinion. These two coaches, Russell Conrad and Ryan Bleiker, came together along with the Bulldog and Jaybird teams to make this possible.
Brendon is a senior at SHS. Coach Conrad suited him up on senior night for the Varsity game, he normally is on the JV team and because of his autism his motor skills are not the best, he doesn't play too often and rarely gets the ball but he loves being part of the team. Brendon is an amazing young man who loves everyone, and while I’m sure this was very well orchestrated between the two coaches, the ball got down court to the Spur goal and the ball was handed to Brendon, he missed, the crowd sighed in disappointment.
But Spur rebounded, with no pressure from the Jayton team, and the ball was handed to him again; again he missed, the crowd of fans which were many, sighed again; but the ball was rebounded again, and Brendon took the shot and made two points to get on the board in a Varsity game. The fans on both sides of the gym yelled, clapped and stood on their feet with excitment and congratulations.
In the high paced, competitive world of high school sports, all that was paused for just a few seconds to allow this very special moment for a very special young man.
These are the pictures taken by Dana Contad/Spur Athletics Boosters, of his three shots and the excitement from his teammates after he made the two points, he even clapped for himself and is wearing his amazing smile as he heads back down court.
Joan Day, Spur
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
