Player Shines After Revealing Disability
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
March 15, 2001

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK--Last year, Josh Sankes, the star center for the Holy
Cross Crusaders basketball team, averaged 14.1 points per game. He set a
school record for blocked shots in a season with 69. More impressive,
however, is that he ended the season as the second-leading rebounder in the
nation with an average of 11.9 per game.

Until a year ago, Sankes spent most of his time warming the bench and was
thinking about giving up the game. It wasn't until he shared a certain
secret that the 7-foot athlete started to blossom.

Sankes has cerebral palsy.

Now, the senior says he is relieved he finally told his secret. Not only has
his self-confidence improved, but so has his skill. For example, two years
ago he only made 4 of 16 baskets at the free throw line -- an average of 2.5
per game. The problem was that when he tried shooting in the traditional
manner, his tremors would throw off his shot. Once he made his cerebral
palsy public, his coach helped him develop a one-handed shooting technique
that has served him well.

Earlier this season, in a victory over Navy, Sankes sank 7 out of 10 at the
line.

This afternoon the 15th-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders will play second-seeded
favorite Kentucky in the first-round game of the NCAA East Regional
Tournament.

Sports writers are making a big deal out of Sankes' accomplishments.

Sankes seems to take it in stride. "I'm just a great competitor, I love to
compete, I try to overcome everything in my life and this is just another
thing I have to overcome."
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Distributed to this list by:
Dave Reynolds, Editor
Inclusion Daily Express/Inclusion Weekly Review
Disability Rights Email News Service
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