T-Time: Making Buzzer Beaters, Meeting Curry, & Inspiring Others

One shot, from one game that was never supposed to happen, has engulfed the nation with a positive impact.

As time expired, Liberty High School junior, Tonatiuh Ramirez, heaved a half-court prayer. A flawless shot found nothing but net and the entire gymnasium erupted as students stormed the court.

After the video from the Peoria Student Broadcasting Network and phone recordings were picked up by local NBC affiliate, 12 News, the story spread like wildfire as FOX News, The Today Show, and NBC Nightly News all showcased the unfathomable moment within a week after the shot generated a frenzy at Liberty.

He goes by “T” across Liberty High and is an English language learner and a special needs student with an intellectual disability. Once it appeared that the excitement had calmed down, unbelievable news greeted the Unified program. T’s favorite basketball player had reached out to Liberty High School. Four-time NBA Champion, Stephen Curry had caught wind of the half-court shot and invited T, his family, and Head Coach, Jessi Wilk, to meet him when the Golden State Warriors visited the Phoenix Suns on December 12. T was able to do a drill with Curry and received a signed jersey, signed shoes, and an unforgettable night.

The game was a showcase of Liberty’s Unified Sports program. The class combines students with disabilities and general education students to be together and inclusive and a slew of activities. The Unified program allows these students to participate together in groups such as Unified Band, Choir, Dance, Track, and more.

Over the past couple of few years, the Unified program has played games every year against fellow Peoria District Schools. This school year though, the only scheduled event was a game on the road against Ironwood. Unified Basketball Coach, Jessi Wilk, desired to design an event where her athletes could compete in front of the student body. She decided to create an intermural basketball game, allowing the athletes to play against each other in what turned out to be a competitive and high-intensity game in front of students who packed the gym from wall to wall.

The rest is history, yet the story is still being written.