Jeff Linville | The News
Surry Central honored these three men Tuesday as participants in the upcoming Special Olympics three-on-three basketball tournament. Shown, from left, are Timmy “The Globetrotter” Sawyers, Neal “Hansbrough” Joyner and Sammy “Jordan” Chamberlain. Also playing for the team is John “LeBron” Edwards and Veronica Sellars.
Submitted Photo
The Special Olympics team scrimmaged against the Surry Central girls team during halftime of a recent boys game. Here, Timmy Sawyers reaches for a rebound between Brooke Lewis, left, and Sarah Bruce.
The icy weather has caused cancellations for more than just high school events.
The Special Olympics of North Carolina has announced that this weekend’s three-on-three basketball tournament in Greensboro is is postponed for two weeks.
Teams in the Northern Piedmont Area will compete Feb. 9.
Surry Central recently honored a local team that will participate in the tournament. At halftime of the varsity girls game, the school introduced the players. Then during halftime of the boys game, the team scrimmaged against the varsity girls.
Girls Coach Mandy Holt said it touched her heart watching her girls go out there and play.
The Lady Eagles had just come off a tough loss to East Surry.
“The girls were disappointed, I was disappointed,” she said. Rather than sulk, however, they took the floor and soon were smiling from ear to ear.
Basketball is just a game, and helping out with the Special Olympics, “that’s called life,” she said.
All-conference guard Cassidy Joyner volunteered to coach this squad along with her cousin, Weston Payne.
There are a lot of activities that will be going on in Greensboro that day, noted Joyner’s father, Donald. There is the 3-on-3 tournament as well as 5-on-5 games. Also, there are people competing in basketball skill drills.
Donald’s brother Neal is one of the team members. Joining Neal are Sammy Chamberlain, John Edwards, Timmy Sawyers and Veronica Sellars.
Cassidy Joyner is a three-sport star at Central, and her cousin Weston is an East Surry varsity baseball player.
Cassidy and Weston are both juniors and thought this might be a way to tie in an activity with their senior exit projects.
“I am doing it on the Special Olympics, and my favorite sport is basketball,” said Cassidy. “So I thought it would be wonderful to tie them together.”
She said Payne is doing his project on broadcasting, and a big event like the Special Olympics could fit in with that.
Already, the team has played some games this season in North Wilkesboro and Charlotte.
Cassidy said she felt like all the hard work she’s put into sports over the years is worth it to be prepared to coach this squad.
“To have Neal in my family and be able to have him on my team and to be able to coach him is a blessing,” she said.
“Neal means the absolute world to me and my family,” she said. “I am honored to have someone in my family so special.
“Neal has always been there for me and made me see the bright side of every situation. Neal tries 100 percent at everything he does and he never gives up, and that is the best trait for someone to have. He is a wonderful role model and a great example for how to be.”
Her experience with the team might have been addictive.
“I am thinking of volunteering from here on out,” she said, “because seeing the joy of these people and the expressions on their faces is better than any trophy or medal or certificate I have ever gotten. It’s breathtaking.”
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