Bucks vs. All-Stars annual contest more than just a hoops game

For the past 29 seasons, the Holmes County All-Stars have been trying to figure out the Holmes County Bucks, the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ fantastic team.

For 29 years they have failed miserably.

The All-Stars’ effort Tuesday, March 10 at West Holmes High School in front of a large and vocal contingent of fans in the Bucks’ corner proved to be flawed again, as the Bucks sent the All-Stars packing 61-50.

However, as has always been the case, this game isn’t about wins and losses; it is about showcasing the Bucks during national Board of DD Awareness Month.

This game is one the Bucks players look forward to all year, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and fundraising gains for the program, as well as an evening that has become a beloved event for the community, which turned out in force to support the Bucks.

“Just unbelievable,” Bucks head coach Duane Morrison said of the community support. “This community shows up every year for this game in a big way, and we are so appreciative.”

Morrison also alluded to the spirited bidding on the signed Bucks basketball, noting there were four different groups and individuals bidding on the ball, driving the price up to $2,100. In addition, the Bucks raised $1,100 on the 50/50 raffle and had other various donations that will go a long way toward supporting the Bucks program and Holmes County Special Olympics.

The bidding on the ball included a group from The Ohio Floor Company, where Morrison is employed, but the ball eventually went to Pam Shultz, who had a good reason for purchasing the ball.

She said Morrison brought her son Zander Shultz, a recent standout athletic graduate from WHHS, on to the team as an assistant coach.

“Zander has gotten pretty close to (Bucks player) Dayne Morrison recently, and he’s made a big impact in Zander’s life,” Pam Shultz said.

In addition, her daughter Zaylie is on the path to becoming a special education teacher and is currently taking on a huge role in developing programs for younger children in Special Olympics.

Thus, the BDD and Bucks program has become very important to the Shultz family.

There were plenty of other celebrations taking place throughout the contest that were separate from the action on the floor.

The first was to honor Bucks superstar player Dennis Hershberger, who is completing his 50th season playing for the Bucks. That is a monumental accomplishment considering the Bucks program is celebrating its 50th year of existence, meaning Hershberger has been there every step of the way.

In doing so he has become a legendary scoring machine, racking up tens of thousands of points along the way.

Longtime Bucks assistant coach Rachel Day presented Hershberger with a framed picture collage commemorating his achievement.

“He’s 68 years old and still going strong,” Day said.

In addition, Dayne Morrison was honored as this year’s Bucks Player of the Year for his energetic effort on the floor and passion for the game.

“He has gone through a bunch of physical challenges and overcame them, and he never gave up,” Zander Shultz said of Morrison, who accepted the award by flashing his ever-present trademark grin.

The community support didn’t stop with the many businesses that donated to the game and the program but also filtered throughout the school, with the West Holmes pep band providing sound to energize the evening, the West Holmes cheerleaders adding plenty of pep on behalf of the Bucks, auctioneer Adam Campbell doing his usual great job of enticing bidders on the basketball and so many more people who made the evening special.

“This year was over the top, phenomenal,” said Sharon Allison, Holmes County BDD community supports director. "We had such a huge crowd. Everybody was into it, and I can’t say enough about this community.”

Allison even made note of the Bucks T-shirts designed for the game, one that said the community is full of stars.

Allison said the fundraising portion of the evening is extremely important because with the Ohio Special Olympics, no athlete pays anything to attend events throughout the year, so these funds go a long way in helping to pay for expenses like travel, lodging, meals and more.

“When we go to regional basketball tournaments, we stay at a hotel,” Allison said. “Summer games are on the campus of the Ohio State University, which is a lot of fun, and this pays for our room and board and meals. Again, athletes get to participate and pay for nothing.”

If anyone would like to donate directly to support Holmes County Special Olympics, they may do so by sending checks to Holmes County BDD, with the check made out to Holmes County Special Olympics. Checks can be sent to HCBDD, 8001 Township Road 574, Holmesville, OH 44633.