Special Needs Student Plays Basketball; Scores 2 Points

Jose Vidal Garcia, 22-year-old special needs senior at the Los Fresnos High School, has been always competitive in Special Olympics events.

But Marco Hinojosa, one of his teachers and LFHS boys’ basketball coach, knew that Jose had the athletic ability to play basketball. After seeing him practice, he knew that Jose would be ready for his chance – he would suit up for the Falcons’ JV in their game against Brownsville Lopez Friday at the LFHS Gym.

He suited up with jersey number 22 and would have an opportunity to play if the Falcons JV would open a big lead in the game.

The Falcons opened up a 60-point lead at one time and rolled to an 85-28 victory.

And so it happened. Jose got to play competitive basketball.

He played briefly in the second quarter but didn’t get a chance to score. He came back into the game in the fourth quarter in hopes of fulfilling a dream.

His teammates – including his brother sophomore Daniel Garcia – had a plan. They fed him the ball intentionally so that he could try to score.

With about four minutes left in the game, Jose took a 20-foot shot from the right baseline. Swish.

The crowd of about 50 people erupted. His teammates on the sidelines jumped for joy.

And Jose? He calmly ran back to play defense, not even smiling.

The next few trips down the floor, the Falcons kept giving Jose the ball. He missed the next four shots he took, but it didn’t matter.

Jose had scored in a junior varsity basketball game. It was a moment he – and his friends and family – will never forget.

To see photos of Jose in action, visit the Flickr photo gallery.