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Few things feel as good as hitting a basket at just the right moment during a game. For just a few seconds, you’re a hero on the court.
Jules Hoogland of Zeeland East High School in Zeeland, Michigan recently got the opportunity to experience this situation as she sunk a free throw on her first try during a game last week.
More amazing than just making the shot, she did it despite being blind.
In the video above, Hoogland prepares for the free throw.
The crowd goes silent, as the only sound you hear is a paraprofessional hitting the backboard to show the athlete where the basket is. Hoogland takes the shot, banking it right into the basket on her first attempt.
The crowd goes wild!
And so did the internet.
I have not smiled this big in a while. \n\nNo reason to exclude anyone. \n\nCC: @RexChapmanpic.twitter.com/vlITodli2o— Jordan Cieciwa (@Jordan Cieciwa) 1648166841
She\u2019s blind. \n\nThis is the Twitter content I\u2019m here for\u2026https://twitter.com/fitcityjordan/status/1507147085891571713\u00a0\u2026— Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc (@Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc) 1648168839
What got me was the way she prepares for the ball to hit her after she shoots. Luckily it ends with pure joy though— Adam lane (@Adam lane) 1648172828
Well. My heart exploded.https://twitter.com/fitcityjordan/status/1507147085891571713\u00a0\u2026— Yuh-Line Niou (@Yuh-Line Niou) 1648227452
Genuinely, you can hear the lights in this video the audience is so quiet, until they're not!!— Tyrel (@Tyrel) 1648174972
Such a warm video. The young ones stay silent till they erupt out of joy, and that includes the opposite team too https://twitter.com/FitCityJordan/status/1507147085891571713\u00a0\u2026— ItsRainingToDos (@ItsRainingToDos) 1648225750
I would\u2019ve cheered if they didn\u2019t make it. Takes real courage— WAS THAT A NERVE? (@WAS THAT A NERVE?) 1648202924
Zeeland Public Schools has a program for inclusive sports, allowing students with special needs to join and play. The program has led to many positive outcomes for the district and students.
Hoogland’s game was inspiring to many.
She was born prematurely, causing abnormal blood vessel growth in her eyes. By the age of three, she was completely blind.
One of a set of triplets, Hoogland has a sister who is sighted, and a brother who passed away when they were four weeks old.
She started playing basketball when she was in middle school.
She even joked about the pressure from the crowd watching her, saying:
“I was really nervous because all these people are staring at me. Luckily, I couldn’t see them staring at me.”
The moment was a wholesome one shared widely online.
God bless you for being a reader. I read SO MANY Talking Books, as a kid.— Trix Farrar (@Trix Farrar) 1648220572
Omg! I love this! When I was young, I worked as a camp counselor. We had 2 weeks of Blind Camp every summer. We used different things to make noise so they could know where to run or aim in so many activities, like archery and baseball. So fun!— Rachel Marie Dyche (@Rachel Marie Dyche) 1648226931
Blind people also play baseball! \n\nTwo of the friends I\u2019ve cherished, one who was a student at and one who taught at Perkins School for the blind in Massachusetts. Both of whom related stories of humanity and always with humor. \n\nI have always cherished my time both them.— What'sAllThisNow (@What'sAllThisNow) 1648177834
Attended high school with a blind guy. He was in an accounting class with me. Anyway, if you placed him in front of a basketball goal and told him how far away he was, he could make at least 30% of his shots.— Son of O'Dell (@Son of O'Dell) 1648169333
It\u2019s a unified basketball team allowing kids with disabilities the opportunity to play sports they may not normally be able to. The girl shooting is blind so the woman is tapping the back of the hoop so the girl knows which direction to shoot. It\u2019s a special moment for everyone— Kelli Barendse (@Kelli Barendse) 1648162175
Nathan VandeGuchte, a special education teacher with Zeeland public schools spoke on how these inclusive sports have improved students’ lives.
He said:
“The positive and enthusiastic environment our student body created on Tuesday is something our athletes won't forget!”
“The lens with which many of our special education students are viewed has now been forever changed. They know that they are important, and they recognize that they are contributing members of our student body!”
He also talked about Hoogland’s practice to be able to make that shot:
“Jules has worked so hard over the years at getting the feel for that shot.”
“It was so moving to see her hit that shot again in front of 2,500 people. We couldn't have been more excited for her and her family.”