by MIKE BLACKWELL

Simon Middle School eighth grader Tristan Bourgeous soaks up attention from Austin sportscaster Mike Berman in pre-game warm-ups recently. Tristan “shows the happiness his audience is feeling,” Simon Principal Michelle Chae says of her student, a member of Jessica Ovalle’s Life Skills class. (Photo by Jim Cullen)

Special to the Hays Free Press

Jonathan Wilson is like a lot of other middle school coaches. The Simon Middle School basketball mentor wants his players to listen, to learn, to compete and to maximize their potential.

Winning is always a goal, but when the buzzer sounds and lights in the gym dim, he also wants his players to carry with them a life lesson or two.

That’s where Tristan Bourgeous comes in.

Tristan is a Wolverines guard who made his mark recently not only by sinking a few jump shots, but also by inspiring his teammates – and opponents – by thriving despite having Down’s syndrome.

Tristan earned his playing time the way other Simon athletes have earned their playing time – on the practice court.

“The whole thing started with Tristan practicing with us every Friday,” Wilson said. “He would participate with us on every one of our drills and we wanted to get him some game experience.”

Wilson contacted Chapa coaches Luis Jimenez and Nathan Brewer and shared his plan to get Tristan his well-deserved game time.

“They already knew Tristan and his family from prior years, so it was the perfect game to get him in,” Wilson said. “Chapa developed a play called ‘Open’ whenever they saw Tristan enter the game. They’d be man-to-man (defensively) on everyone, but the player guarding Tristan would play off of him a little more than normal.”

Jimenez said his team, coaching staff and administration were all on board with making the experience a memorable one.

“Before we left for the game, our athletic director had a conversation with the team and explained the situation, in general, about Tristan,” Jimenez said. “The team had no problems with it. If I may say so, it was the players that set a great example that night.”

Tristan said he was excited – and nervous – about his chance, but he was 1-for-4 in the game, and when his shot fell through the basket, the gym erupted.

“After he made the shot, he had the biggest smile possible on his face,” Wilson remembers. “The entire gym went crazy, as well as both benches. It was a moment of pure enjoyment for everyone. I thanked the coaches from Chapa and their players for what they did and how big of an effect they had on the situation. All of them said they were happy to be a part of it.”

Simon’s last home game came against Dahlstrom, and Wilson was determined – and inspired by the game against Chapa – to get Tristan even more time on the court.

He was even more successful in the Dahlstrom game, hitting both of his shots just inside the three-point line. His experience is something he – and the Chapa and Dahlstrom players who played such a major role in the success – will likely not soon forget.

Clearly Wilson has been deeply touched by the young man with the quick smile and a steady jump shot. “Everyone keeps saying that it is great what we did for Tristan, but I want to thank Tristan and all of those involved in these events,” Wilson said, “for giving the best experience that I will ever have in my coaching career.”