PARKER, Colo. – A community came together for the Fourth Annual Pack the Gym event on Thursday, at Legend High School.
The Parker Police Department faced off on the court against the Legend Unified basketball team, a team made up of students with special needs.
“This is my favorite game of the entire year,” Coach Karen Forbes said. “These kids just want to be out here, and they want to be like everybody else.”
The last two years, Tobi Compton’s 17-year-old son Micah joined the Legend Unified basketball team. She said he counted down the days until the game.
“Every morning he’s been waking up, ‘Parker PD is going down,’ Compton said.
Two years ago, her son was diagnosed with Kleefstra syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability. Micah was homeschooled most of his life; it’s why his mother said it’s exciting to see her son and other students with special needs get involved in sports.
Micah wasn’t shy. Full of confidence, he called a win before the game began. He said he was ready to take on Resource Officer Danny Britton.
“Every one of these kids has harassed me the whole week,” Britton laughed off.
He’s volunteered to play since the event launched.
“I can’t even explain it to you, it’s emotional for me, and it’s emotional for them,” Britton said.
Trish Cook described her 17-year-old daughter as quiet, but the basket she sunk made a roar.
“It means a lot to a mom who hasn’t had this at other schools previously,” Cook said.
Legend Unified won the game 56-54. Money raised from ticket sales will benefit Legend High School Unified Athletics.