No losers, just winners as Sanborn Christian hosts Village Panther hoopsters
March is the month that separates the winners from the losers on the basketball court. However, a game was played recently at Sanborn Christian School where everyone was a winner.
The Village Panthers arrived at the school on the afternoon of March 7 to take the floor in competition with a team of Wildcat players. The students who participated in the game were 8th graders Hadassah Donovan, Logan Minderhoud, Aleah Schreur and Taalen Van Ess and 7th graders Bella Alons, Easton Bakker, Hattie Covey, Brooklyn Hartog, Alivia Koldenhoven, Chloe Rydberg, Lamont Schreurs, and Elias Wolfswinkel.
The members of the Village Panthers team all receive services from Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon. VNU is a social services organization located in Sheldon which strives to provide Purpose, Privacy & Dignity for the adults they serve with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum and traumatic brain injury, so they are able to lead active lives according to their God-given talents.
“The basketball team is only one of many Special Olympic sports that the individuals served by VNU participate in,” noted Brian Robyn, Director of Human Resources at VNU. “Athletes have the opportunity to participate in track and field, bocce, bowling, volleyball, softball, softball skills, soccer skills, basketball and basketball skills. VNU has been a part of Special Olympics since 1976. Special Olympics provides opportunities for the athletes to gain confidence in their physical abilities and to interact with a larger community of supporters.”
The Panthers basketball team begins practices shortly after Thanksgiving each year and their seasons usually concludes in early March at the state competition. “The schedule is a collaborative effort between the Special Olympic coaches and administrators, the state Special Olympics office and local contacts at the area high schools and colleges,” said Robyn. “The team tries to play at least one game per month. The Panthers play at halftime of local high school games as well as at Dordt University and Northwestern College games. They play in the district tournament in Mondamin, which is a qualifying tournament for the state competition in Ames. This year the team was able to play a game against Sheldon Christian as well as Sanborn Christian.”
“The basketball game with the Panthers essentially came about through our PE teacher, Nate Schreur,” explained Sanborn Christian School principal Anthony Minderhoud. “Nate works at Sanborn Christian, Sheldon Christian, and the Village, and his active involvement at all locations helped connect all the dots to make this event happen. He recently coordinated a basketball game with Sheldon Christian and the Panthers a few weeks earlier at the Village, and after that experience he came to me to see if we could coordinate something similar either at the Village or at Sanborn Christian. Nate did all the work to line things up, and it worked out in such a way that the Panthers were able to come to Sanborn Christian to play. Nate has a big heart for those he works with, and loves to encourage them to use the gifts they’ve been given in all areas of life, so this was a great opportunity to explore and see if it could coordinate.”
The question of who would provide the local competition for the Panthers was an easy one to answer. “Our 7th and 8th graders combine during the basketball season to put together a girls team and a boys team that play against our local Christian schools, so they were a natural choice to play with the Panthers,” said Minderhoud. “We combined our 7th and 8th grade teams for this game and incorporated them in and out of the game as it progressed.”
The Panthers led for much of the basketball game and came away with a four-point win, 74-70.
“It was really fun to play them,” said Taalen Van Ess. “They were really good sports, and really good at basketball. I hope we have the chance to play them again.” Echoed Easton Bakker, “I really liked playing against the Panthers. I think our school should do this more often. It is a good way to apply what we know in a different way, and this is a different experience than doing the regular school work.” Lamont Schreurs is also looking forward to a rematch. “It was a very fun time and I wish to do this more often,” said Schreurs. “The Panthers played very well and they were all great sports to play with. Being one who loves playing sports, it’s good to learn that not all games are about winning but that all games are about the experience.” Added Brooklyn Hartog, “I think that the afternoon was really great and fun. It was a great opportunity not only for us, but also for the Panthers. We definitely should do this more often. It was fun to see how happy they were and how well they worked together.” Also enjoying the experience was Bella Alons, who said, “It was really fun and I had a great time. Mainly it was fun to be cheering for both teams and watching how happy everyone got when someone else scored. It was fun to work together with everyone on the team.”
The players in the game were cheered on by an enthusiastic and supportive crowd. “We thought it would be good for our entire student body to come and watch the game, so that created a fun atmosphere during the game,” said Minderhoud. “I’m thankful that the Panthers were willing and able to come to Sanborn Christian to play because it did give our whole student body an opportunity to watch, to cheer, and to appreciate the various gifts and talents of all involved.”
“As a spectator, I enjoyed watching the game because we saw a body of Christ come together not only to play basketball, but to show encouragement and joy,” remarked Anna Schreurs. “Playing basketball is not only a sport, but a moment to truly see each other’s talents.” Aubree Graves added, “As a spectator, I saw very good sportsmanship on both teams and it was fun to watch both teams try hard. I loved to see how well all of the players played with each other. It was cool to see and do the Panther cheer at the end of the game.”
The event was a positive experience for the Panther players as well. “The basketball games provide opportunities for the individuals to break down barriers regarding persons with disabilities,” noted Robyn. “The games allow the athletes to demonstrate the skills they have learned through practices and affirm the positive experience of Special Olympics.”
Teachers at Sanborn Christian viewed the contest as not only a fun time for the students but also an educational experience. “The game was a tremendous opportunity for our kids to see that everyone is made in the image of God,” offered Jake Van Otterloo. “We all have different abilities, different challenges, and different life experiences that make us who we are. However, for those who are in Christ Jesus, we can celebrate that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of our background. We were all created on purpose and for a purpose by a purposeful God. I believe this game gave our kids an opportunity to see this truth firsthand.” Catherine Schreur noted, “This game was a chance for our kids and the Village Panthers to showcase all the hard work they have put in this basketball season. God has made us each so special and unique, and it was fun getting to celebrate that together.”