The Stepping Stone Knights: Giving It Everything They’ve Got

  • By Teri Stein
  • February 6, 2012
  • 379
                        
Summary: There’s “no quit” in this year’s Stepping Stone Knights Special Olympics basketball team. This young team in their second season are developing and demonstrating on the court the qualities that will help them succeed in life. The members of the Stepping Stone Knights Special Olympics basketball team, in its second year of play, are continuing to improve under the guidance of their new coach Nathan Davis and assistant coach Mic Maple. Stepping Stone provides specialized residential services to individuals with numerous challenges. Davis, who had already worked with many of the team’s members as a staff member at Stepping Stone, was thrilled to take over as coach. “I came to a lot of games last year. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the sportsmanship,” he said. After learning that the team’s first year coach would not be returning, “I was anxious to jump right in. The guys show team work, they work hard and make a commitment.” “The guys are less timid with a year’s experience under their belts. They get in the game and they know what to do,” said Davis. The team practices twice a week at the Trenton Avenue school gym and play their home games at Claymont Intermediate School in Dennison. Some of the Knights previously played for the Tuscarawas County Rockets but due to scheduling difficulties Stepping Stone organized their own team last year and this allowed them to include more individuals from their program in the sport. The 2012 members of the Knights are: Richard Anderson, Bryan Parker, Zachary Kurtz, Chris Bayne, Joseph Barkett, John Peloubet, Andy Parcell, and Vincent Jackson Byington. The team shows up at each game ready to work hard and do their best. “They come to the games and give it everything they’ve got,” said Davis. “There’s no quit in the guys and everybody pulls for each other.” The players couldn’t agree more. “It’s awesome, everyone has their difficulties, and we know each other and don’t make fun of each other. We’re like a family,” said Zachary Kurtz, a member of the Knights. Kurtz had kind words for Davis, “I love him as a coach and as a human being – he’s basically like family.” He also added that this is his last year with the Knights because he will be returning to his home town before next season, but he’ll still think of his team mates, “I hope they make it to the playoffs and have good years when I am gone.” Chris Bayne has had previous basketball experience playing for the Jefferson County team. This is his first year with the Knights, but the ties of teamwork are everlasting. “(The Knights) are nice people to play with and nice coaches, but I still miss my old team. I can’t wait to see them again.” Bayne is working on learning how to shoot the ball better this year. “I like being on a team and playing my hardest. I respect my team and the other teams.” Focusing their energies on playing basketball has proved to be a beneficial experience for all the players and learning values through participating in the sport is an important part of the basketball program. “The coaches preach respect, sportsmanship, honor, courage, inner strength, heart and commitment,” said Richard Anderson, a member of the Knights. “We only have eight players but I’ve seen a lot of improvement in our players.” That improvement comes from conditioning and the dedication of the coaches. “(Davis) gives us a chance to improve our games with four on four or five on five games (at practice.) Most the time the coaches get involved with us,” said Anderson. “The teams I’ve enjoyed facing the most are the (Tuscarawas County) Rockets and Harrison County. They are two of the best teams for sportsmanship,” said Anderson. Assistant coach Mic Maple is impressed with his team. “They are getting better. They hustle and they have a smile on their faces. That’s all you can ask.” “It’s awesome to watch these games,” added Davis. The Stepping Stone Knights remaining home game is February 23 at 5:30 against Jefferson County.


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