Avon students share their love of the game

Avon’s Jordan Williams, right, gets ready to play some defense in Saturday’s fifth annual Love for the Game contest at Avon High.

AVON, January 27 – The tradition that is the For the Love of the Game basketball game is growing at Avon High.

When it began five years ago, the varsity boys basketball team hosted their fellow students who are physically or intellectually challenged for a game of basketball.

For the players and students, it was a chance to play basketball with their peers in the gym on the hardwood in the main gym with fans in the stands.

There are 13 students who came to play Saturday but they were joined by the entire Avon High basketball program – boys and girls. The varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams were there to play and cheer on their classmates.

Dozens of spectators, classmates and parents filled the stands to see the fun.

Maria Mascoli, left, hugs a player who attends the Love of the Game event every year.

Maria Mascoli, as she has since the beginning of the event, organized the game. She also has organized a Love of the Game event involving the Avon High baseball program.

There are plenty of smiles, cheers and fun. There are pre-game introductions and four quarters of basketball action with some play-by-play commentary from the Avon High senior Connor Harris over the public address system.

Players get ready to hit the court after a few pre-game instructions.

Photos from previous games

Photos 2017

Photos 2016

Photos 2015

Photos 2014

GALLERY