Even though they were losing by more than 20 points in one of the biggest games of their lives, the players of Desert Chapel's basketball team made time for one final, heartwarming gesture that brought tears to many in the stands.
Desert Chapel was trailing Trinity Classical, 75-52, late in the fourth quarter of Southern Section Division VI title game in California. That's when Trinity freshman Beau Howell checked in. Beau has autism and has been an inspiration to his teammates throughout the season.
Desert Chapel's star player, Taner Alvarez, said he and his teammates noticed the crowd react to Beau entering the game.
"We saw him come on the court and everyone giving him a standing ovation, and he probably hadn't scored in his life,” Alvarez told the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. “Why not let him score in the biggest game of his life?"
With about 30 seconds left Taner handed Beau the ball and encouraged him to shoot. After a few misses Beau finally sank a shot from close range, prompting the crowd to go wild and providing the young man with a wonderful memory.
"To see how this team, who doesn’t know our school, certainly doesn't know Beau, to see the way they responded was such an incredible blessing," Beau’s mother, Megan, said. "They had the opportunity to be disappointed and focus on themselves. It was a hard game for them, but they immediately responded in a beautiful way."
