Staff photo / Chris McBride Potential Development coach Andy Chorey readies his players ahead of the “Shoot for a Change” charity basketball game at Hubbard High School.

HUBBARD — A charity basketball game between Hubbard High School and Potential Development High School on Saturday was the brainchild of Hubbard sophomore Isabella Williams, whose cousin is on the autism spectrum and attends Potential Development PK-12 School in Youngstown.

“Shoot for Change” took place in the Hubbard High School gymnasium and featured a 50-50 raffle, T-shirt sales, concessions and, of course, a basketball game. The Hubbard High School cheerleaders and Potential Development Pep Club also participated.

Williams was inspired to create the charity event after learning her cousin, Christoph Rhoads, didn’t have many games for his team to play throughout the season.

“This event is really special to me because Potential Development does a lot for my cousin. Giving back to them is very exciting. PDHS encourages kids with autism to play sports, attend school dances and participate in clubs,” Williams said.

That thought blossomed into an event that brought dozens of community members — many of them family members of players — to cheer for PDHS players and student athletes from Hubbard High School.

“They also work with the students to achieve their high school diplomas. It’s a wonderful school to ensure students with autism receive individual education to meet their needs and prepare them for the future,” Williams said.

Since August, Williams has been working to organize the event and fulfill a project requirement for her Community and Career Exploration class. From recruiting the Hubbard team, gathering the raffle baskets and involving PDHS, Williams did it all.

“It’s amazing what she’s done,” said Potential Development CEO Paul Garchar, who added that as a student he barely could make it from one class to the next, let alone organize a charity game.

“This charity basketball game is a great opportunity for our students to show the community how much they enjoy extracurricular activities, such as athletics and pep club. It’s important for students to receive a well-rounded experience of academics, sports, music and the arts. We thank Isabella Williams for organizing this outstanding event,” Garchar said.

Rallying the team was coach Andy Chorey, who also works as a teacher at Potential Development, helping tutor students in math and reading.

“It’s great to see the kids’ skills improve and develop over time,” Chorey said.

Before stepping on to the floor for games, he always makes sure to remind his students that the most important thing is to go out and do their best, but more importantly, have fun.

“Playing basketball at our school gives these kids an opportunity they wouldn’t have in a regular school setting. At our school, everybody can play,” Chorey said.

One of those students, Jamill Franklin, said he was nervous, but excited, to show off his point guard skills on the court even though he has not played for several years.

Shari Nesbitt, mother Potential Development player Isaiah Nesbitt, was in the crowd to cheer on her son. Isaiah has been a student at the school since he was 3.

Admittedly, she was hesistant to let him join.

“I wasn’t sure if it was something he was able to do, but one of his teachers said to me three years ago, he gets almost every basket and loves the sport,” Shari Nesbitt said. “The coaches and school staff helped make that possible. Any development with his talking abilities, I credit to their work.”

His mother said Isaiah doesn’t just stop at basketball. Her son also is involved in track, bowling and swimming.

Funds raised from the event will go toward the school’s sports programs and extracurricular activities, Garchar said.

“Even though these kids learn differently, we still want them to have as typical of an experience as any other kid,” he said.

cmcbride@tribtoday.com