All fired up
Rapid Fire team burns up the court
By Caroline Gecker CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Turner Hodgins, a senior on James River High School's Rapid Fire team, takes aim before making a shot during a recent game in Varina.

The athletes on the court aren't six feet tall, and 10:30 in the morning isn't the normal tip-off time for a high school basketball game, but the stands are packed with cheering fans awaiting the start of one of James River High School students' favorite activities: a Rapid Fire game.

Rapid Fire is a basketball team made up of students from James River's special education classes. It is a member of the Z-Team Medford League, which began in the 1970s to give mentally and physically disabled high school students an enjoyable athletic outlet.

James River's team was originally paired with Monacan High School and called the Rapid Chiefs, but when it became its own team three years ago, it was dubbed Rapid Fire. The team practices during school hours and plays against other Medford League teams in the area during lunch on Thursdays.

Although today's game against the Matoaca Warriors is proving to be a blowout in the Warriors' favor, the players are clearly having a blast. Althea Ested, a sharp-shooter with an infectious smile, dropped a career-high 40 points in last week's game, making her a crowd favorite. Neil Gewanter, a tenacious defender, is known for his shot-blocking and ability to get key rebounds. Charlie Schlikenmeyer diligently stands on the sidelines, always prepared to make an accurate inbounds pass to his teammates. The bubbly personality of Jenny Oh brings an unmatched charisma off the bench. When asked her favorite part about being on the team, Jenny said, "We have fun. We work together."

Coach Randy Early agrees, explaining, "It gives them a total self-esteem boost, and they can build relationships with teachers and the students in the crowd."

Early has been the coach of Rapid Fire since it began, and obviously enjoys the sport as much as his players.

"It really helps them assimilate into the student body," he says.

He attributes a major part of Rapid Fire's success to the support of its fans.

"My kids get a lot of support through the student body, probably the best support of any school in the district," Early says.

It's true; one look into the stands shows posters with the players' names and bead shakers held by an excited student body. The positive atmosphere is mostly due to the James River Student Council Association (SCA), the club that runs the games. The 30-some SCA senators and officers work hard to make sure the games run smoothly and that fun is had by everyone involved. Each member is given a different job, ranging from referee (complete with a striped shirt and whistle) to cheerleader or announcer.

Various games are played at halftime - most recently a messy pie-eating contest that called for crowd involvement and enthusiasm.

Tim Crane, one of the two SCA teacher sponsors, believes that being involved in Rapid Fire is one of the best things the SCA does.

"It's important for the players to get a chance to perform in front of a big crowd. It's a good experience for them," says Crane.

One look at the team as the game comes to an end - every player smiling ear to ear as the cheers of the crowd resonate through the gymnasium - shows just how important Rapid Fire is. Coach Early puts it simply: "It's just a good time."