Bella Rusnak bounds down the court, clutching the basketball. She shoots — she scores. “Yes!” she exclaims, as her hands pump to the sky. The crowd cheers her on.
This isn’t your typical basketball game, but the players don’t know that. This is the Shooting Stars Basketball League.
The league is designed for children and adults, ages 5 to 22, who have physical and mental disabilities. The program was started by Rick and Emmie Clark of San Marcos, who have an autistic son, Jacob. His love of the game inspired them to start the league so that he, and others like him, could enjoy basketball, Rick Clark said.
Rachel Cintron chases after player Katie Stashek as she takes off down the court with the ball. “Hey, Katie, you’re traveling!” yells Rachel.
Players compete against volunteers during games at Corky Smith Gym in San Marcos. The rules are lax. Traveling and double-dribbling aren’t a problem. Scoring and having fun are the game’s objectives.
With previous experience coaching special-needs soccer and helping with a special-needs baseball team, the Clarks began the program in January 2007 with eight players, 10 volunteers and four high school coaches. Today, the league boasts 64 players (with youngsters still joining), 80 volunteers and 20 coaches.
Players’ disabilities include Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.
In its first season, the Clarks recruited players from other activities, including baseball, soccer, football and karate.
Now in its fourth season, the league has grown exponentially through word-of-mouth and the support of the North County Consortium for Special Education.
Player Rachel Pine tried a Special Olympics basketball team before coming to the Shooting Stars league. Rachel looks forward to playing in the league because she gets to socialize with her buddy.
At the beginning of each season, players are paired with a buddy, usually friends, siblings or student volunteers who help the players have fun and learn basketball fundamentals.
Buddies benefit from the experience, too. “It’s great to see her hanging out with kids that she wouldn’t normally,” said Caroline Albright, whose daughter, Kelly, is a buddy. “When would she ever get a chance to do something like this?”
The league also helps parents. “As parents, we have to be involved with the kids all the time,” said Christine Franey, whose daughter, K.C., plays. “This program is designed for us to sit, chat and enjoy the game.”
The league’s mission is to ensure that all players feel a sense of belonging. At the beginning of each season, players are given T-shirts, uniforms and basketballs. On Jan. 10, the league had an appreciation day and invited the mascot of the Lake Elsinore Storm minor-league baseball team to shoot with the players. On Jan. 31, the last day of the season, there will be a pizza party. Coaches will hand out trophies, celebrating the players’ accomplishments over the past few months.
“The neat thing is to see them grow. … It’s almost like they’re our kids,” Rick Clark said.
Parents, buddies and coaches agree that the league is a safe environment for players to grow and socialize. “It’s a misnomer that these kids don’t want to be part of society. … We believe in inclusion for all,” said Bella’s mom, Karen.
