Alexa Mottas

It is no secret that the winter sports season at CHS was full of positivity. Basketball found a way to bring this community together, but not just at the Friday night girls and boys varsity games. This was the first year that the Black Knights participated in the Medford League, which was established in Chesterfield, Virginia, in the late 1970s. This league was founded to bridge the gaps in sports so those with physical or cognitive disabilities could have a safe and accessible space to play basketball at public high schools. The Medford League provides certain accommodations to play, mainly dealing with the hoops, like portable and shorter hoops. 

Ms. Mottas, a teacher in her second year of the CHS LEAP program, was the spark that got the Knights involved in Medford this year. “When I got here,” Ms. Mottas told KTR in a recent interview. “I couldn’t believe we didn’t already have a team. So, I went to the admin to ask them about it. Then, I reached out to the folks from other surrounding counties who ran [the league]. It was a year in the making, and here we are!”

Although most of the team hadn’t played basketball before, the Black Knights found incredible success in their first season, making it all the way into the playoff semifinals. However, this wasn’t a simple task, as the team worked hard in practices every week. Wayne, a member of the team, said, “We practiced our shots and free throws, ran backwards, and they told us how to play defense [in practice].” Along with his teammate, Josh, he said that he wanted to participate in the Medford League to be happy and to have fun.

Mr. Mulford, or Coach T as his 14 players refer to him, is their committed coach. He worked with students in LEAP in past years and said it was a “no-brainer” when he was asked to coach the team. Mulford spoke to the increase in confidence and community that he saw throughout their season. According to Mulford, “We found ways for other teachers to cover classes when we had games,” demonstrating the support he got from admin and other teachers to make this league a success. Peter Davis, who teaches many of the LEAP students, says, “I have seen them enjoy it and learn new skills.” Mottas is also happy to report unrelenting support from students and staff across all of their games showing the community that the league has built and that it is a success that should be continued for years to come.

While the final Medford games were played on the road at Orange County High School, the team had a share of home games in front of a packed student section in the stands. The noise inside of the gym as each shot was taken could be heard through the halls of the high school, as students showed up with signs, cheers, and lots of applause each time. “As their teacher, the home games were such a highlight.” Ms. Mottas said. The love, not just for the Black Knights, but for the away teams, is what it’s all about. It gave me chills every time.” For the players themselves, a similar feeling was expressed. “It was so fun to play in front of a crowd,” Wayne and Josh said. “It made me really happy.”

As the season winded down, the focus was centered on the playoff tournament. While winning was a plus, the team, throughout the season, focused on being supportive and maintaining good sportsmanship with both teams. “The most important thing was to do our best and to have fun.” Mottas added. “After our last game, all of the players, even though they were disappointed, tired, and hungry, stayed to cheer on the other teams to be good sports. We shake hands after every game no matter what because we are the bigger person and we play with integrity.” 

For Ms. Mottas, the passion she holds for her job dates way before her introduction to CHS. “My mom was a teacher,” she told KTR, “and a big part of my job is more than just teaching academics. It’s teaching self-determination and independence, but it’s also teaching self-advocacy and being an advocate as well when sometimes my students need someone to advocate for them. I take that very seriously. If I can help empower my students to empower themselves, then I’ve done my job. They teach me every day more than I will ever teach them.”

The 2023-2024 season marks the first of many runs that the Black Knights will take in the Medford League, but will surely go down as historic. The team, made up of students from both the LEAP and Parkside programs at CHS, serves as yet another example of the light shining throughout our school in all of its corners. Each game was more than just a game– it was a signal of unity and support that is upheld by Black Knight Nation as a whole. Not only will the team’s record be remembered, but every basket, every steal, and every one of Santos’s hearts aimed at the crowd alike. As Ms. Mottas added, “The part that I noticed that players loved the most was when kids would come up to them after the games in the halls who have never made them feel visible and noticed them. It was a hugely powerful thing for them. To have those interactions with their Black Knight peers is a really important and powerful thing.” 

The visibility of the talents of these students has proven to be a highlight of this year so far, and the success of the CHS Medford League team is just getting started.