Summary: After the members of the Tuscarawas County Rockets Special Olympics basketball team win the 2013 East Section Basketball tournament, they take their game to the state finals.
Four points were all that kept the Tuscarawas County Rockets Special Olympics basketball team from the state finals last season. It was a bitter disappointment considering the state finals were played in Tuscarawas County in 2012. This season there was a happier ending.
We are going to Columbus to win a state championship, said Coach Bob Glasgow to his team at a recent practice. Were not going just to play. I want everyone here to be a state champion.
Glasgow was proud of the way his team played in the Mens Division III East Section finals held at Dover Middle School. It was good basketball. The Rockets topped the Jefferson County All Stars on Sat. March 9 in a close game 41 to 35. Jefferson came out in the second half and took it to us. They were up by eight. I didnt know how (the Rockets) would react, but they didnt fold. On Sun. March 10 the Rockets beat the West Licking Warriors Gold team 52 to 34.
They have confidence right now. Im glad they get to keep playing and the way they are playing if we can keep them energized and their heads in the game they can play with anyone, said Coach Glasgow. Glasgow has been assisted by Coach Tonya Ross and volunteers Andrew Whited and Briana Glasgow.
The members of the Rockets are Rachel Russell, Cliff Jackson, Jamie Masters, Craig Gordon, Miranda Milburn, Kershel Zehnder, Logan Wise, Travis Glasgow, Deric Johnson, Shane Johnson, Robert Easlick, Jenny Hostetler, and Scotty Reynard.
In the State Final Four competition, the Rockets will take on the South Section Champions, the Darke County Dawgs, on Fri. Mar. 22 at Weaver Middle School in Hilliard at 8 p.m. The winner of that game will then play on Saturday for the state title.
The playoffs have necessitated some changes in practice times and locations for the Rockets who usually practice at the small gym at Starlight School. Evening practice times have been scheduled to get them used to playing later in the evening and practices on full size courts provided by the First Baptist Church of New Philadelphia and at Strasburg High School. Coach Glasgow thanked the organizations for the use of their gyms. We have a hard time replicating game action on the small court.
Earning a chance to play in the state championship playoffs was no surprise to the Rockets Deric Johnson. I knew, he said. Weve come a long way. Johnson returned to the team after last playing in 2003, saying his family encouraged him. They missed seeing me play and I missed playing. Deric said his favorite part of playing basketball is his teammates.
A fearless player, Rachel Russell, has been with the Rockets for six years. At the end of that first season the Rockets won a 2008 state championship, their last state title win. Rachel doesnt let anyone intimidate her as she moves in quickly against opponents to block shots and passes. She credits the coaches with their improvement. We work as a team more, she said.
Over the course of the season Coach Glasgow noted much improvement in all his players. Rebounding is much improved. It helps keep the team fresher. Scotty Reynard is a rebounding machine, said Glasgow. Glasgows son, Travis, a member of the Rockets has shown a huge improvement in his skills. He helps at rebounding and is getting really good at shooting and dribbling.
I push these kids hard but they are responding. Theyve risen to everything weve asked so far.
