Notes From Thursday's ND Basketball Event

The ND WBB and MBB teams hosted two teams of Special Olympians for a 32 minute scrimmage in the Joyce Center.

MBB players worked with a team of about 15 wearing maroon jerseys. There were usually five Special Olympians and two ND players on the floor with each team. The ND players acted as facilitators making passes and grabbing uncontested rebounds when needed. The maroon team had a huge advantage with a low-post player who was at least 6'9" and had good hands, so he scored at will when his teammates were patient enough to wait for him to post-up. They also had a very short player who missed badly on several long shots, but then was set-up by TJ Gibbs for a ten foot baseline shot which he made to great applause. He then made about five more from there. Gibbs and Prentiss Hubb were the most enthusiastic ND players. Carmody, Goodwin, Laszewski, and Mooney also played. Everyone else on the roster watched with Rex Pflueger supplying the most sideline energy.

While the maroon team had its own regular coach, Abby Prohaska coached the team with green jerseys and was busy organizing substitutions, so that everyone could play. Marta Sniezek and Katie Cole were the busiest on-court facilitators while Anaya Peoples, Mik Vaughn, Sam Brunelle, and Nicole Benz also made appearances. The rest of the team watched and were quick to note when their teammates allowed buckets to maroon players.

Arike arrived during the course of the evening and was warmly received by her former teammates. She didn't seem to want to cause a distraction from the scrimmage, so she then seated herself with a section of student-athletes who were there to support the Special Olympians.

Overall, it was enjoyable to see the two ND basketball teams come together to create an event for the Special Olympians. There were no coaches involved in the event, although I did see Ryan Ayers and Scott Martin watching from a distance.