Shubh Khandhadia of Beckman (far right) helps Beckman sophomore Garrett Quach roll a ball down a ramp during a game of bowling with basketballs.
There were lots of smiles and plenty of high fives at the second Beckman All-Star Basketball camp Thursday afternoon in the gymnasium.
Anyone who attended the camp would likely agree that all of the participants were all-stars.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
The camp, organized and run by one of the Patriots’ basketball players Shubh Khandhadia, was open to Beckman students with special needs.
Day one of the camp, which wraps up Friday, featured a bowling tournament with basketballs and an intra-squad basketball game.
One of the players was in a wheelchair and was assisted up and down the court by a volunteer. Others faced a number of challenges.
During the basketball game, volunteers cheered for the players as they tried to make baskets either on the standard basket or a makeshift hoop. It didn’t matter whether they made a basket or not, they were all winners on this day.
“There are kids with all types of disabilities,” Khandhadia said. “But there are a good number of kids who can communicate well and there are some kids who have one on one attention who can’t maybe as well.”
About 16 campers attended the event, mostly from Beckman and most of them were on hand for the first camp in July that Khandhadia ran.
Click here to see a story and pictures on that event.
“It’s been good, we have the girls basketball team volunteering as well and they’ve been a huge help,” said Khandhadia. “They’re been really good with the kids and we have more on one one attention with the kids, which is better than last time. I want to do it as many times as I can.”
About 16 volunteers also participated, included members of the basketball team and Athletic Director Steve Fischel.
All of those in attended received T-shirts, which were designed by Khandhadia’s sister, Saloni Khandhadia, a junior at Beckman. Players also received water and snacks.
The reaction was satisfying from the campers and their parents.
“It was great, last time I got a gift card from one of the campers, who signed it and a hand-written note and he came to watch one of my games,” Khandhadia said.
Khandhadia, a senior, said he would like to hold another event next summer.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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