Coach Morgan shakes hands with S-T ISD Trustee Rick Olivares.
S-T ISD Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez read the following letter from Banquete Junior High coach George Pesek during Monday's school board meeting. We reprint it here as a reminder that no act of kindness should go unrewarded or unrecognized.
To: Dr. Brett Belmarez & Adam Arroyo
On Feb 4th our Junior High basketball team was playing the Skidmore 8th grade team for the Consolation Trophy in your tournament. The incident that follows is one of my fondest experiences in all my 24 years of coaching.
One of our players has challenging learning disabilities. He made a few appearances in the game as he has throughout the season. Upon starting the 4th quarter on the bench, I made the comment that he was playing a great defensive ball game and to keep it up. The athlete made the comment "Yeah coach, but I sure want to score a basket. I have not made one all year." You see, this is his first year playing UIL sports and more than likely his last due to entering High School next year. I looked over at Keith Morgan and gave him a brief explanation of this young man's situation during the course of the game. I asked him if his team could "slack off a little" to give the young man at least one chance to shoot the basketball. He said "No problem." I also informed the referee of the situation and he told me to get him the ball.
Upon getting the ball into the hands of our player, a "foul" was called and the athlete went to the free throw line and missed both free throws. What happened next portrayed the type of class the Skidmore basketball team and staff have.
During the next 3-4 possessions, the Skidmore team sent only 1-2 players back on defense, which allowed our players to get this young man the ball in an attempt to make his first and only points in his life. After about 4-5 misses in these possessions, he finally made one. The Banquete fans and bench erupted. He even went on to score 3 more baskets in the same scenario and actually was the high point man of the game for us.
While traveling back on the bus, I asked this athlete what if felt like to get his first ever (and only) points and also how it felt to be the high point man for the game. He responded by saying it was the greatest feeling he ever had and that he is now thinking about even maybe trying out for the team in High School.
In this day and age, when one hears so much of the negatives in the world around us, Skidmore left a very positive and delightful memory for a young man, the Banquete fans, and his coach.
Hats off to you, Skidmore. Your program expressed a true class act. I have a lot of respect for your coaches, John Salinas and Keith Morgan. I look forward to our continued "rivalry" in the years to come.
Professionally yours,
George T. Pesek, Jr.
Banquete Coach
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