ESE Student Gets His Chance to Shine on Hardwood

Exceptional Student Education student Jeff Richardson has long had a love for basketball.

The senior at Coral Springs High School recently gave those at the varsity Colts’ Senior Night game a chance to see how much he means to the team.

Over the past couple seasons, Richardson became so involved with the sport that he volunteered to serve as varsity team manager.

He started off doing little things like giving players water during breaks, but he eventually became more and more centered on the teams’ daily preparations.  The former water boy started helping players work on their conditioning drills and provided them with encouragement and advice.

Richardson’s teacher, Rena Katz, suggested that he could just help out.  Little did she know that he would get his chance to step out onto the court and make an impact.

Before the Colts’ regular-season home finale, senior wing Desmon Williams lobbied for Richardson to play in the game. 

“Desmon came to me and said that Jeff was just as important to this team as anybody else,” said boys’ basketball coach Matthew Dearen.  “The cool part was that this came from our team’s leading scorer and one of the county’s top players.”

As the Colts prepared to tip off against Hollywood Hills, they had a special surprise ready for Richardson: A new jersey with the number 44 and a promise for playing time awaited Richardson.

He played for two minutes and 40 seconds for a team that finished the season with a record of 15-5 and had made its first appearance in 36 years for the county’s showcase tournament, the BCAA Big 8 tournament.

During the game, guard Alex Kosloff drew two defenders as he moved toward the basket.  He dished it to an open Richardson, who banked in a 3-pointer as a defender came running at him.

“The gym was going absolutely nuts,” Dearen said.  “His mother was in the stands, and she nearly passed out.  It was such a surreal experience for our school.”

The next day at school, the morning announcements included a special mention of Richardson’s basket.

By Peter Holehan, Sun-Sentinel