Eric Sucar

ESSAY: J-MAC

Jason McElwain who has autism and has been the team manager of the Greece-Athena High School basketball team for the past two seasons. For their last home game of the season head coach Jim Johnson let Jason suit up and promised to let him in sometime during the game. Throughout the game chants and cheers for "J-Mac" echoed in the gymnasium. With just four minutes left in the fourth quarter and to the roar of a small crowd McElwain ran onto the court for the first and last time. In truly dramatic fashion Jason went on to hit six 3-point field goals among the 20 points he scored in less than four minutes. After hitting his last 3-pointer with two seconds to play in the game the crowd, who had been waiting for their chance to erupt, took the party onto the court and hoisted up their hero.

Jason McElwain who has autism and has been the team manager of the Greece-Athena High School basketball team for the past two seasons. For their last home game of the season head coach Jim Johnson let Jason suit up and promised to let him in sometime during the game. Throughout the game chants and cheers for "J-Mac" echoed in the gymnasium. With just four minutes left in the fourth quarter and to the roar of a small crowd McElwain ran onto the court for the first and last time. In truly dramatic fashion Jason went on to hit six 3-point field goals among the 20 points he scored in less than four minutes. After hitting his last 3-pointer with two seconds to play in the game the crowd, who had been waiting for their chance to erupt, took the party onto the court and hoisted up their hero.
   
Anxiously looking on from the sidelines.
   
First player on the court at halftime.
     
  
Cheerleading.
   
In the game.
   
Eruption from the crowd.
     
  
Celebration.
   
A mother's love.
   
Hoisting up their hero.