Bucks and All-Stars play 24th edition of the game
Long-time Holmes County All-Star Judge Thomas Lee shares a moment between halves with former Holmes County Bucks member Tad Chewning. Each of the All-Stars has built up a lengthy list of memories as the community celebrates National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Each year to celebrate National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, the Holmes County Bucks and Holmes County All-Stars put an exclamation point on the training center’s active schedule by playing a basketball game.
As has been the case in the past 23 years, the Bucks took down the All-Stars, sending them to their 24th straight defeat.
However, this night is about celebration and joy as much as it is about basketball, and the memories that have been created over the years are treasured by those who have been a part of this event.
Ron Hay coached the Bucks for many years. He watched Dennis Hershberger rack up upward of 30 points per game back in the legendary center’s hay day. He was there for a state tournament and watched many players come and go. He also has been around to both coach and referee the Bucks and All-Stars game, and his stockpile of memories could fill oceans of photo albums.
“I remember the very first game we ever played on the stage at Millersburg Elementary,” Hay said. “I know there were a few long-time guys in that game that are still playing. Sam Steimel, Tom Lee, Chad Troyer, Chuck Nicholson, Bob Boss, Mike Kinsey, there were a lot of those guys who played for years. I think what sticks with me the most is that those guys, without any coaching from our staff who have worked with people with disabilities, have fit in just perfect. I love to see how this game has just meshed and come together. The guys on the Bucks team spend the entire day of the game in jubilation and anticipation of this game. That is how much it means to them. Our guys were pretty cranked up when we won the state championship in 2004, but this game has always been something special to them. It’s just an amazing community evening that will forever hold a special place in my heart and a lot of people’s hearts.”
Legendary All-Stars head coach Mark Lonsinger, who is racking up losses like the Washington Generals do against the Harlem Globetrotters, said this is one night he will always cherish.
“They’ve beaten us in the past, but we only have ourselves to blame for this one tonight,” Lonsinger said with a laugh.
He has coached every game but one over the past 24 years, and like Hay, he has built up a warehouse of memories.
“We had a lot of new guys in the huddle tonight,” Lonsinger said, “and I asked in the huddle before the game how many had ever been here before. I told them, ‘I want you to know that they are playing in the biggest moment of their year.’ They will talk about this until the next time we play them. I think it is important for all of us to always realize what this game means to them. It seems like the longer this tradition carries on, the more people understand the significance of it, and people want to be a part of the joy. What is better than making people happy and coming out and competing and supporting these guys? It doesn’t get any better.”
Miriam Miller has been the scorekeeper for the Bucks for just about as long as they have existed. She said the memories are still fresh, despite all of them running together.
“We were playing in the old Millersburg Elementary gym, and Curtis Goehring, our personnel director, was refereeing, and coach Perry Reese was playing,” Miller said. “Curtis called a foul on coach, and coach Reese went off. He was like, ‘Me? You’re calling a foul on me?’ Of course it was all in fun, but that is such a great memory among many memories.”
Other long-time players shared their thoughts on the meaning of this game that has grown to mean so much to them over the years.
“You see all of the smiles on everyone’s faces, and it makes them feel good, and it makes us feel good,” said Jason Hummel, now in his 14th year as an All-Star. “It’s just a great joy to be a part of this.”
Tom Lee was a participant in the very first one and has not missed many games since then. Lee is a perennial lock to get picked on, and he has racked up his share of technical fouls over the years as referees seem to zero in on him for various infractions, all in fun.
“We hope for better refs every year, but lo and behold Ron Hay shows up,” Lee said with a laugh. “To me, Dennis Hershberger is my favorite memory of all of these years. He has been playing forever, but he still plays with that same excitement and exuberance. I think you would have to have a heart of stone to walk out of here and not feel really great.”
Chad Troyer is a 24-year participant, and he said, “This is just a joyful night of fun, and it is an honor and a privilege to come out here and play against them. I think one of my favorite memories is when we took them to overtime one year. Seeing the look on their faces and their determination was priceless. To think, Mark Lonsinger almost got a win.”
First-time audience attendee Dan Schrock was in the stands to root on the Bucks. He had been invited to the game by Miriam Miller, and now he is hooked. What really made his attendance a blessing was his involvement in the T-shirt auction at the end of the third quarter when referee Duane Morrison auctioned off a special Bucks T-shirt.
The auction was done to raise funds for new uniforms for the Bucks, who have been playing with the same uniforms for nearly two decades. Schrock ended up winning the T-shirt for $400 but told the Bucks he would cover any other expenses needed to acquire uniforms. He didn’t have to, as others also chipped in.
“It’s compassion,” Schrock said of the donation. “Seeing the joy and the inspiration of the people here and knowing what a great job the training center does, why not? I have never been here before, and I absolutely enjoyed it. It’s a great night.”
As for the game, Hay, Duane Morrison, Tom Vaughn and Daryl Starner kept the All-Stars in check with some very creative calls that usually somehow went in the Bucks’ favor.
The Bucks took a comfortable lead only to see the All-Stars battle back. The Bucks again forged a lead, and the All-Stars roared back to tie the game with less than 30 seconds to play.
However, in the end the Bucks found a way to win, yet again, capping off a wonderful night of hoops and happiness.