WEBVTT HAD TO BE EVACUATED BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. NEW AT 5:00. A LOCAL COACH IS PASSIONATE ABOUT BASKETBALL. AND AUTISM SHE SPEARHEADS AN ANNUAL TOURNAMENT IN PLATTE COUNTY BENEFITTING BOTH. LARA: ROB HUGHES EXPLAINS HOW IT CHANGES LIVES. AND GIVES HOPE. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON CAUSE. REPORTER: KRISTEN DAVIS’ SON BRYTON LIVES WITH AUTISM. SHE LEADS THE KC PREMIER BASKETBALL ASSIST FOR AUTISM TOURNAMENT. FOR ONE HOUR. KIDS LIVING WITH AUTISM HIT THE FLOOR. MANY HAD NEVER SCORED A BASKET. OR EARNED A MEDA >> NOT TREATING THEM DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY. HELP THEM BECAUSE IT IS HARDER FOR THEM. REPORTER: THE TOURNAMENT RAISED $15,000 FOR PARK HILL SPECIAL EDUCATION. EVERYONE CAN HELP KIDS LIVING WITH AUTISM LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE. >> THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. >> YOU CAN DO THIS. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF HELPING. REPORTER: EVERYONE CAN HELP KIDS LIVING WITH AUTISM LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE. >> IF WE LEARN TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH A DIFFERENT SET OF EYES, I THINK WE WILL BE BETTER AS A SOCIETY. LARA: OVER 80 TEAMS AND 800 KIDS PARTICIPATED. THE PLATTE COUNTY SPORTS COMMIS
Basketball tournament empowers, honors kids living with autism
The "Assist for Autism" tournament a slam dunk for everyone involved
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Updated: 7:30 PM CDT Jul 20, 2018
A local coach is passionate about basketball, and autism. She spearheads an annual weekend tournament in Platte County benefiting both. We had a chance to talk to lifetime basketball coach Kristen Davis about how her tournament changes lives, and gives hope. "It was just a lot of people coming together for a common cause, and I'm really proud of our community for stepping up on this one," said Kristen Davis, Executive Director of KC Premiere Basketball. Kristen's son Bryton lives with autism. Kristen organizes the KC Premiere Basketball "Assist for Autism" tournament. "That's the #1 objective, the smiles on those kid's faces, and the sense of accomplishment," said Davis. The tournament includes dozens of teams and hundreds of kids. However, for one hour, kids living with autism hit the floor. Many had never scored a basket, or earned a medal. "It's taught me a lot about patience, and acceptance, and not, like, treating them differently because of a small disability," said tournament volunteer Emma Cohalla. "Be nice to them, and just be able to help them, because it's harder for them," added Tannah Jones, a fellow tournament volunteer. The tournament raised $15,000 for the Park Hill Special Education Department. "The sky's the limit, just because somebody has a disability, doesn't mean that they won't be able to succeed," said Sarah Cohalla, a special education teacher at Chinn Elementary. "You can do this, you can really do anything; it's just a matter of, you know, again, we're there to help you with it," said John Dorr, Park Hill South girl's basketball head coach. Everyone can help kids living with autism live their best life. "If we all kind of take a step back and learn to look at the world through a different set of eyes, because that's how those kids are approaching it, then I just think we'll be better as a society," said Davis. Over 80 teams and 800 kids participated. The Platte County Sports Commission and Park Hill South High School sponsor the tournament. Both organizations, along with KC Premiere Basketball, welcome donations and volunteers to help further their respective missions, and better serve our community.
Kansas City, Mo — A local coach is passionate about basketball, and autism. She spearheads an annual weekend tournament in Platte County benefiting both. We had a chance to talk to lifetime basketball coach Kristen Davis about how her tournament changes lives, and gives hope.
"It was just a lot of people coming together for a common cause, and I'm really proud of our community for stepping up on this one," said Kristen Davis, Executive Director of KC Premiere Basketball.
Kristen's son Bryton lives with autism. Kristen organizes the KC Premiere Basketball "Assist for Autism" tournament. "That's the #1 objective, the smiles on those kid's faces, and the sense of accomplishment," said Davis.
The tournament includes dozens of teams and hundreds of kids. However, for one hour, kids living with autism hit the floor. Many had never scored a basket, or earned a medal. "It's taught me a lot about patience, and acceptance, and not, like, treating them differently because of a small disability," said tournament volunteer Emma Cohalla.
"Be nice to them, and just be able to help them, because it's harder for them," added Tannah Jones, a fellow tournament volunteer.
The tournament raised $15,000 for the Park Hill Special Education Department. "The sky's the limit, just because somebody has a disability, doesn't mean that they won't be able to succeed," said Sarah Cohalla, a special education teacher at Chinn Elementary.
"You can do this, you can really do anything; it's just a matter of, you know, again, we're there to help you with it," said John Dorr, Park Hill South girl's basketball head coach.
Everyone can help kids living with autism live their best life. "If we all kind of take a step back and learn to look at the world through a different set of eyes, because that's how those kids are approaching it, then I just think we'll be better as a society," said Davis.
Over 80 teams and 800 kids participated. The Platte County Sports Commission and Park Hill South High School sponsor the tournament. Both organizations, along with KC Premiere Basketball, welcome donations and volunteers to help further their respective missions, and better serve our community.
