The Dutchess BOCES Bulldogs Skills Basketball team is back and is currently practicing their skills ahead of the Special Olympics Regional Aquatics & Basketball Competition at Marist University on March 8.
It will be held in Marist’s James J. McCann Recreation Center with registration opening up at 8:45 a.m. The opening ceremony starts at 9:15 a.m. with competitions beginning shortly after at 9:30 a.m. Skills Basketball is a development basketball program where student-athletes from the Salt Point Center (SPC) and Resilience Academy (RA) are practicing dribbling, shooting hoops and participating in an exercise called Target Pass, where students shoot basketballs against the wall.
Half of this year’s team of 25 registered athletes are returnees from last year. Special Education Teacher Tracey Smith coaches the students and noted that they are broken up into teams by ability. During a recent practice at the SPC gym, Physical Education Teachers Scott Calcagni and Adam Repinz provided support and encouragement to athletes.
“Some of them are naturals,” Smith said. “It’s all about sportsmanship and learning to be part of a community.”
Smith has coached Special Olympics athletes at BOCES for 10 years and wanted to be able to give students an opportunity they may not have elsewhere.
“It gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment and it’s a chance for them to be on a team,” Smith said. “This is their opportunity to shine.”
The day will be made even more special as BOCES students will have a chance to play with Marist athletes including members of the Red Foxes men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“It’s a good time for them,” Smith said of her student-athletes. “The Marist basketball teams are fantastic.”
Salt Point Center student Onassis Tavarez enjoys playing basketball and looks forward to competing.
“I like dribbling best,” Tavarez said.
Dylan Paraszti, an RA student, credits the practices in the gym for helping him improve in his gameplay, but for him winning a prize is not his top concern.
“I like just playing and hanging out with friends,” Paraszti said. 