Kobe Crawford, the quick point guard on Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Special Olympics team, slashed and pivoted his way to the hoop in the style of his favorite player, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.
He maneuvered past several defenders before releasing a quick layup that bounced off of the rim. It was one of several close misses during a second-half performance Crawford said was disappointing.
“I tried to make more baskets,” he said. “It was a good game though. We went out there and played hard.”
Matt Cox, Crawford’s teammate, was just as self-critical.
“I’m trying to get myself to do my best,” said Cox, still sweating during a quick postgame interview in which he had to fend off a barrage of backslaps and congratulations. “We need to get more practice and more running ability.”
Judging by their responses, you wouldn’t think this was the team that, minutes before, had just hoisted a plaque and trophy after soundly defeating visiting West Leyden, a friendly rival, 22-14 on March 6.
But that self-correcting quality may be what makes the team so good and what makes the special needs basketball program at OPRF such a perennial contender among its competition.
According to coach John Adelman, the program is divided into three different teams—orange, white and blue. The orange team will be heading to downstate to Bloomington on March 13 to compete for a state championship against Neuqua Valley and Downers Grove. Adelman said the team has made it downstate almost every year for the last seven seasons—winning it all in 2010.
Since the first annual matchup against West Leyden was held 18 years ago, the annual matchup has become a much-anticipated event among the student body. At least a thousand rabid students packed the risers in OPRF’s field house during the game.
The OPRF wrestling team was honored at halftime for winning their second straight Class 4A dual team state championship.
“This even brings everyone together,” Adelman said. “It creates awareness among the wider student body about our special needs population and it allows our kids to show off their skills. It’s all about awareness.”
Adelman has been coming to these games since he attended OPRF and would root on his twin brother from the sidelines. He became a coach 8 years ago after some friendly nudging from fellow coach Joe Ordman.
Adelman said that his players have grown to form friendly bonds with those from West Leyden. He credited Ordman, student volunteers, community volunteers, parents and West Leyden for “being a tremendous help” with the program.
“In the last two years we’ve had upwards of 29 to 30 kids sign up to play,” he said, adding that, although membership on the basketball team is open to anyone who wants to join, he’s recently had to turn some aspiring players away due to the program’s demand.
“For our students, this game is just pure joy and excitement—it’s all about them,” Adelman said. “The day is about them and their hard work. All eyes are on them.”
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
