Rockets working hard in 2011-2012 season
Energy was running high at a recent practice of the Tuscarawas County Rockets Special Olympics basketball team, where practices are almost as much fun as games. This will be a big year for the Rockets, who are preparing to win another State championship at home as the Special Olympics Ohio basketball tournaments will be held in Tuscarawas County this year.
The Rockets have a long history of success. A banner hanging in the gym at Starlight School, where practices are held, proclaim them State runner-up in 1997, and State champions in 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2008 in various divisions.
The Rockets are made up of two teams, one which competes against other teams in basketball games and another group which competes in an individual skills competition.
Team members are: John Carlson, Travis Glasgow, Shane Johnson, Rachel Russell, Robert Easlick, Kershel Zehnder, Jenny Hostetler, Allison Roth, Elizabeth Lippencott, Miranda Milburn, Gerry Jasper, and Craig Gordon. The team is coached by Dan McCaulley and assistant coaches Bob Glasgow and Gina Kail.
The individual skills team is coached by Linda Hobart. Team members are: Lon DiGenova, Melissa Bolek, William Chambers, and Trevor Herzig. They will compete at a Sectional tournament held in Hilliard Feb. 11, and, if they qualify, will move on to compete in the State tournament.
“This is fun,” said Lon DiGenova, a member of the Rocket’s individual skills team. Though he likes all the coaches, his favorite part of practice is “this guy right here,” he said, pointing to new assistant coach Bob Glasgow.
DiGenova likes working out with the team and feeling like he is a team member. When asked if he’d made many baskets over the years, DiGenova replied, “I’m not for sure but I’m having fun.” The skills team practices one time each week with the Rockets basketball team during drills for one hour.
The goal of the Rockets basketball team this year is to win a State championship title, but they are taking it one large and small victory at a time. The members were thrilled when their winning game over the Carroll County team was broadcast on TV 2 early in January. During that broadcast, Elizabeth Lippencott’s two point score and her joyful reaction to making a basket on camera was named the Big Play of the Game. When asked if the moment was the biggest of the season so far, Elizabeth replied, “Oh yeah, I not make a basket on TV last year.”
Bob Glasgow, recently retired after 25 years of officiating at high school basketball, wanted to get involved in activities he didn’t have time for before. “It’s been more fun since I’ve been able to devote some time to it,” he said of his involvement with the Rockets.
“I used to only get to three or four games a year. Now I get to go to every game,” he said. It’s time well spent for Bob, who has seen his son, Travis, a member of the Rockets, improve each year he is on the team.
Every year there was a new goal to celebrate. “This year I got to see my son, Travis, dribble the ball the length of the court and make a shot. That’s a big milestone for me.”
Bob is happy that he is able to witness Travis’ progress firsthand. “He’s become a more aggressive player and more of a leader. It comes with maturity; he’s done more things this year than he has since he’s been in basketball.”
Bob was also named as the newest member of the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities in January 2012. “I see the board as an opportunity for me to be able to give back. This program has been great for Travis. I just want to be able to be a part of its continued success.”
Being more involved with the Rockets can be eye-opening. “I never fully realized how hard they work. They have the same heart as anybody else. They are playing this game because this is what they love,” said Bob.
The coaches are not easy on the players at practice. “I’m making them work and they are responding. It’s good for them as people,” Bob added.
At the end of the practice, the players have worked up a sweat. “I need to go outside so I can cool off,” said Rockets player Miranda Milburn.
The remaining Rockets home games are: Feb. 4 (Belmont County) at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia; Feb. 6 (Holmes County) at 6:30 p.m. at Garaway High School; and Feb. 27 (Guernsey County) at 6:30 p.m. at Strasburg High School.
The Rockets have a long history of success. A banner hanging in the gym at Starlight School, where practices are held, proclaim them State runner-up in 1997, and State champions in 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2008 in various divisions.
The Rockets are made up of two teams, one which competes against other teams in basketball games and another group which competes in an individual skills competition.
Team members are: John Carlson, Travis Glasgow, Shane Johnson, Rachel Russell, Robert Easlick, Kershel Zehnder, Jenny Hostetler, Allison Roth, Elizabeth Lippencott, Miranda Milburn, Gerry Jasper, and Craig Gordon. The team is coached by Dan McCaulley and assistant coaches Bob Glasgow and Gina Kail.
The individual skills team is coached by Linda Hobart. Team members are: Lon DiGenova, Melissa Bolek, William Chambers, and Trevor Herzig. They will compete at a Sectional tournament held in Hilliard Feb. 11, and, if they qualify, will move on to compete in the State tournament.
“This is fun,” said Lon DiGenova, a member of the Rocket’s individual skills team. Though he likes all the coaches, his favorite part of practice is “this guy right here,” he said, pointing to new assistant coach Bob Glasgow.
DiGenova likes working out with the team and feeling like he is a team member. When asked if he’d made many baskets over the years, DiGenova replied, “I’m not for sure but I’m having fun.” The skills team practices one time each week with the Rockets basketball team during drills for one hour.
The goal of the Rockets basketball team this year is to win a State championship title, but they are taking it one large and small victory at a time. The members were thrilled when their winning game over the Carroll County team was broadcast on TV 2 early in January. During that broadcast, Elizabeth Lippencott’s two point score and her joyful reaction to making a basket on camera was named the Big Play of the Game. When asked if the moment was the biggest of the season so far, Elizabeth replied, “Oh yeah, I not make a basket on TV last year.”
Bob Glasgow, recently retired after 25 years of officiating at high school basketball, wanted to get involved in activities he didn’t have time for before. “It’s been more fun since I’ve been able to devote some time to it,” he said of his involvement with the Rockets.
“I used to only get to three or four games a year. Now I get to go to every game,” he said. It’s time well spent for Bob, who has seen his son, Travis, a member of the Rockets, improve each year he is on the team.
Every year there was a new goal to celebrate. “This year I got to see my son, Travis, dribble the ball the length of the court and make a shot. That’s a big milestone for me.”
Bob is happy that he is able to witness Travis’ progress firsthand. “He’s become a more aggressive player and more of a leader. It comes with maturity; he’s done more things this year than he has since he’s been in basketball.”
Bob was also named as the newest member of the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities in January 2012. “I see the board as an opportunity for me to be able to give back. This program has been great for Travis. I just want to be able to be a part of its continued success.”
Being more involved with the Rockets can be eye-opening. “I never fully realized how hard they work. They have the same heart as anybody else. They are playing this game because this is what they love,” said Bob.
The coaches are not easy on the players at practice. “I’m making them work and they are responding. It’s good for them as people,” Bob added.
At the end of the practice, the players have worked up a sweat. “I need to go outside so I can cool off,” said Rockets player Miranda Milburn.
The remaining Rockets home games are: Feb. 4 (Belmont County) at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia; Feb. 6 (Holmes County) at 6:30 p.m. at Garaway High School; and Feb. 27 (Guernsey County) at 6:30 p.m. at Strasburg High School.
Published: January 30, 2012
