Lake Hamilton High School Athletics
- After five years as the team manager, Andy Tolleson got to suit up for senior night.
- He made the most of his moment and it could not have been more special.
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Earlier this week, Lake Hamilton High School basketball made for one of the best stories of the year. After spending four years as the team manager, Andy Tolleson got to suit up for senior night and made the most of his opportunity.
Tolleson, a senior, has cerebral palsy, as well as a genetic disorder that can make things a little bit more difficult. That didn’t stop him from earning the nickname “bucket getter.”
After taking over the role of team manager in the eighth grade, Tolleson has always been around the team. He has run water to teammates, kept towels fresh, and kept score — always taking great pride in what he does.
However, on Senior Night, he traded in his managerial duties for a uniform. Lake Hamilton head coach Scotty Pennington had only four seniors on the team and decided to dress Andy out with his fellow soon-to-be graduates.
That alone would have been special. He even got a special message from University of Arkansas head basketball coach Eric Musselman.
Andy is a big fan of the @RazorbackMBB and @EricPMusselman! Today, we shared this video on our arena Jumbotron as a surprise to Andy! Tonight…tune into @ABCWorldNews at 5:30pm as they feature our amazing students and coaches! #LHWolfNation pic.twitter.com/D1qp0amumq
— Lake Hamilton School District (@LHSD_WOLVES) February 17, 2022
But then he got in the game and the magic continued. In a tremendous showing of sportsmanship, Tolleson was put on the court and both teams cheered the senior on as he drained three three-point shots to end the game.
It couldn’t have been written any better and the joy on Tolleson’s face, as well as everyone in the gym, spoke wonders. When the buzzer sounded, both teams mobbed Tolleson on the court to celebrate.
In that moment, it was bigger than sports.
The best thing you’ll see this week.
In Arkansas, a 4-year team manager with special needs dresses out for senior night and nails three 3-point shots in the final minute, made possible and celebrated by the opponent ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xLEb0qhl7v
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) February 18, 2022
After the game, Tolleson said that he felt like being able to dress on Senior Night allowed him to pursue his dreams.
A big night for Lake Hamilton senior Andy Tolleson. Last night, he toss the team manager shirt and suited up with the rest of the basketball team, fulfilling his dream and hitting three 3's at the end of the game. Catch his story tonight on @KARK4News at 6 and @FOX16News at 9! pic.twitter.com/JrmM0zhjcn
— Jessica Ranck (@JessicaRanckTV) February 16, 2022
He also joked that although he is set to graduate in the spring, he just might end up back on the sidelines as Lake Hamilton’s manager. It was a tremendous, special night for all of that were involved— from the players and coaches on both teams who made the night happen, to Tolleson, to those in the stands who cheered him on.