The energy was high and the gym was packed as District 214’s Special Olympics basketball team faced off against District 220 in the annual “Night of Hoops” at Barrington High School.
Night of Hoops celebrates student-athletes, teamwork and community pride. The evening also served as Senior Night, recognizing graduating athletes for their dedication and leadership. Seniors were honored with posters, photos with their parents and special moments on the court, creating lasting memories for families and teammates alike.
For the athletes, the excitement was clear well before tipoff.
“It’s the big game. I’m excited for it. It’s really going to be good,” said Faith Haack, a District 214 Special Olympics athlete. “Let’s just have a fun night and enjoy ourselves.”
Teammate Marland Johnson echoed that enthusiasm. “Everybody here. Everybody cheer louder. Everybody happy,” he said. “Let’s go win a game! Let’s go!”
Cheering sections filled the stands as students, staff and families showed their support. The event highlighted the inclusive spirit of both districts, with athletes competing hard while celebrating one another’s successes.
One of the most anticipated moments came at halftime, when District 214 Superintendent Scott Rowe went head-to-head with District 220 Superintendent Craig Winkelman in a lighthearted basketball shootout.
The superintendents took on a series of challenges that had the crowd laughing and cheering. They attempted shots while blindfolded, spun around three times before shooting, tried backward shots and even added props to the mix. At one point, Dr. Rowe stepped up to the free-throw line wearing a football helmet.
“I love the football helmet. Having the football helmet is so random. I felt back at home because I played football. I loved it,” Dr. Rowe said with a smile.
Beyond the fun, he emphasized the deeper meaning of the night.
“Tonight was so important because it was about inclusivity,” Dr. Rowe said. “District 214 is about every single student we have regardless of their background or challenges in learning or exceptionalities. I could not be more proud of our students who were on display tonight. Go get’m 214 proud!”
While the final score of the game mattered to the athletes on the court, the true victory of the night was the sense of belonging and celebration shared by everyone in attendance. Night of Hoops once again demonstrated the power of sports to bring communities together and shine a spotlight on the achievements of student-athletes.