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Students share their love for basketball together

Avon High's Alex Zacchio, left, and classmate Alex Ryan talk basketball prior to Saturday's For the Love of the Game contest at the high school.

Avon High’s Alex Zacchio, left, and classmate Alex Ryan talk basketball prior to Saturday’s For the Love of the Game contest at the high school.

AVON, Jan. 10 – Outside the Avon High gym, it was a chilly Saturday afternoon. But it was warm and glowing inside the Falcon gymnasium.

For the second year, the Avon High boys basketball team hosted a “For the Love of the Game” contest with fellow students who are physically or intellectually challenged.

Players and students shared their love for basketball, working out and trying to improve their games. They played three quarters of basketball. The score was tied but no one really noticed. Dozens of fans in the stands cheered for the hustle, good plays and hustle shown by players and students. There were plenty of big smiles on and off the court.

The Avon Booster Club sponsored the game and provided refreshments for everyone afterward.

“The Avon Booster Club is looking to help instill pride and spirit at the school,” said Maria Mascoli, who helped organize the event. “These games give us an opportunity to do that by bringing athletes together who share their love of the game.”

“This is a great day,” Avon High coach Chris Vozzolo said. “It’s a lot of fun. Our kids get a lot out of it. We’re thankful that the Booster Club lets us take part in this. It’s great to work with the other Avon athletes and to get out and play some ball on a Saturday afternoon.”

Avon's Megan Morrison is  introduced to the crowd before Saturday's game.

Avon’s Megan Morrison is introduced to the crowd before Saturday’s game.

Chase Lachapelle shakes hands with Avon High coach Chris Vozzolo with Alex Zacchio in the middle.

Chase Lachapelle shakes hands with Avon High coach Chris Vozzolo with Alex Zacchio in the middle.

Some tight defense in Saturday's contest.

Some tight defense in Saturday’s contest.

Action in Saturday's game.

Action in Saturday’s game.

Cheers from some of the spectators.

Cheers from some of the spectators.

Participants in Saturday's game.

Participants in Saturday’s game.

Ian McDonald, left,  and Chase Lachapelle

Ian McDonald, left, and Chase Lachapelle

 

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

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