Feel Good Story: Crowd Goes WILD After Student With Down Syndrome Hits An Incredible Half Court Shot

Source - It’s a trick basketball shot few people could easily make — especially with an entire gymnasium of classmates watching. But 18-year-old James Meiergerd did just that. Meiergerd, who has Down syndrome, is a senior at West Point-Beemer High School in West Point, Nebraska.

During half-time at a game between his school’s team, the Cadets, and their rivals from Wisner-Pilger High School, he started playing and nailed a half-court shot after a few attempts, and the crowd went wild. Meiergerd, who’s an honorary member of his school’s team, had been practicing for two weeks. In addition to basketball, Meiergerd wrestles and participates in the Special Olympics. Meiergerd’s trick shot caught the attention of the Harlem Globetrotters, who invited him to be their guest when they play in Omaha this April.

Good for James. He’s clearly a hard working, dedicated, and talented player. I’ve been balling for as long as I can remember and I’ve never even come close to making a shot that difficult. To this day, the most impressive thing I’ve done on the court is not get hurt. Which to be fair is mildly impressive considering I’m built like an un-athletic number two pencil. So James, if by any chance you’re reading this, I could use some pointers. I’ve never found myself in a position where I would have to take half court shot, but if I do, I don’t want to end up like Tex.

Regardless, feel-good stories like these don’t receive nearly as much attention as they deserve. The news is so focused on the negative that they forget to cover the positive. Thank God for Barstool otherwise this story would’ve been buried with the rest of them. So congrats, James. Looking forward to seeing what tricks you have up your sleeve next. Keep up the good work and make sure to take it easy on the Globetrotters next week.