The guard came streaking down the right side of the basketball court on a fast break, pulling up short to put up a 15-foot set shot that swished cleanly through the net.
It was a good play, made all the more impressive by the fact that the ballplayer, Malkeet Singa-Gill was shooting from a wheelchair as a member of a Viscardi High School varsity team that consists of students with disabilities.
Viscardi was playing United Cerebral Palsey of Westchester in the concluding game of Viscardi’s 21st annual fall season-ending tournament. The shot by Malkeet, who plays both point guard and shooting guard, added to a comfortable lead enjoyed by Viscardi early Saturday afternoon.
The Viscardi school was founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi after he established Abilities, an adult vocational program for World War II veterans.
The basketball program is intended to allow Viscardi students a chance to interact with each other and compete on the court like their able-bodied peers.
“I love giving them the opportunity to play a game they wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to play,” said Viscardi varsity coach Joseph Salaninka.
Salaninka, who has been coaching basketball and teaching at the Viscardi School for the past 20 years, said he enjoys teaching his players how to play the game and how to be good sportsmen.
A sophomore at Viscardi, Malkeet said he likes the “competition and teamwork” involved in playing basketball on the Viscardi team.
Freshman Mariah Sepulveda, who’s been playing basketball at Viscardi since she was in fourth grade, said she enjoys the exhilaration she gets from playing with her teammates.
“I like how they have sports for kids with disabilities,” Mariah said. “It gives us a chance to express ourselves through sports.”
Mariah’s mother, Nicole, said, “This gives her that freedom to play a sport.”
“It’s fun getting to know other kids and just knowing I also can play basketball like all the other kids who are not disabled,” added freshman Chris Alvarez.
The students on the team compete at the level their respective handicaps permit them to – shooting at baskets eight feet, 3 feet or two feet above the court level.
The day began with the Viscardi’s elementary school “Cubbies” taking on a team of Viscardi staff members and parents. The kids, flashing their wheel skills, won handily, 30-20.
The Viscardi junior varsity squad then topped the junior varsity team from the Westchester School for Special Children. The Viscardi varsity team led at the half and appeared to be in control of the game.
Team captain Brian Faithfull, captain of the Viscardi team, received the Scott “Bubba” Pollock Spirit Award from coach Salaninka at halftime, an award to honor a former member of the team.
Pollock was known for having “left it all on the court” when he played for the school.
The teams’ fall season starts in October, and the players come together again for a spring season.
“What they need is more teams to play,” said Viscardi spokeswoman Kim Brussell. “It gives them a chance to play like other kids.”
But what they need most is what playing wheelchair basketball gives them: a chance to compete on the court like their able-bodied peers.
“This is a school for disabled children. To give them an opportunity at everyday normal life experiences is a good thing,” Salaninka said.
