Modeling the type of teamwork normally seen only by heroes in times of national crisis, the gray YMCA team overcame the yellow team in a heartwarming matchup of little men.
The game was cast in a tender light during pre-game ceremonies which honored four local youths afflicted with teenageritis, and trying to turn their lives around with the help of the Normal Community High School Ironmen after school program. The superfans sat along the far wall and smiled from ear to ear throughout.
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| Superfans Alex Prus, Kyle Sosa, Tyler Seibring, and Ben Wylde |
As bench coach Dave Witzig supervised the action from along the wall in his trademark Bears ball cap and orange sweatshirt, the game action was neck-and-neck early as #6 Alex Smith led the grays on the fast break.
As the grays got on the scoreboard, scrappy guard #9 Brendan Short got into the scrum defensively, inspired by the echo of his father's teachings in his head, almost as if it were bouncing off the walls.
Not even the repeated resetting of the scoreboard could melt the resolve of Short's rabid defense, harassing the yellows into turnover after turnover with active hands and lightning feet.
Eventually the grays pulled away by a comfortable margin, with guard/center #11 Ben Witzig having his way on the offensive end of the floor, igniting deafening roars from the crowd.
Coach Witzig was touched by the team's performance in dedication to the troubled youths.
"Alex, Benny and Brendan did a great job for us today," a red-eyed Witzig said while wiping a tear. "Hopefully it gives hope to these young fans that they can overcome their condition and have successful lives."
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