Patrick Thibodeau, the Greely High boys' basketball team manager who has Down's syndrome, got the chance of his young life Tuesday when he played a few minutes in the Rangers' final home game against Gray-New Gloucester on Parents' Night.

Thibodeau hit a pair of 3-point shots, one early in the game and the other late. The night was additionally special for Patrick as his father, Perry, the longtime team statistician, attended after suffering a stroke two weeks ago.

"It was an awesome moment," said Greely Coach Ken Marks.

"We had talked about doing this. What better way to get Patrick on the floor than on Parents' Night. We really appreciate the Gray players and coaches accepting it. I told their coach, Scott Flagg, to play the game the way he wanted to."

Thibodeau has been the manager since his freshman year.

"Patrick has a good understanding of the game," said Marks. "He practices with us on occasion and has played in some summer league games."

Marks said Sam Thompson, one of the starters, gladly gave up his spot so Thibodeau could start and get introduced. Once the game started, Thiobdeau missed his first attempt at a 3-pointer then hit his second as the crowd cheered loudly. Thibodeau got back into the game at the end with Greely in control and hit his second 3. When the game ended, the crowd charged the floor and carried Thibodeau off.

Marks said Thibodeau was thrilled by getting to play in a regular game. Besides his father, who received a two-hour pass from his doctor to be there, Patrick's mother, Patricia, was there along with several aunts and uncles.

Marks said Perry, who has sat on the bench keeping statistics for years, is doing better and will be heading to the New England Rehabilitation Center in Portland.

IT WAS Senior Night at home for the Gorham girls' basketball team Tuesday and Rachele Burns, who has missed the season recovering from a torn ACL, got a chance to score a basket in a prearranged play.

Gorham was allowed to win the opening tap against Westbrook. The Rams passed the ball to Burns for an uncontested layup.

Gorham then allowed Westbrook to do the same. The Rams threw the ball out of bounds to replace Burns.

As a junior, Burns was averaging 25 points in six games before she tore her ACL and missed the rest of the season. She missed the softball season, but returned last fall to play soccer where she scored a team-leading 18 goals to help Gorham reach the Class A state final where it lost to Waterville. Burns revealed days before the state final that her knee hadn't completely healed.

She had fluid drained from the knee early in the soccer season and had fluid buildup later as well. Before this basketball season, it was announced Burns wouldn't play. In only 21/2 seasons, she scored 815 points.

Last November, Burns signed a letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Maine.

MICK DISTASIO of Cheverus and Ed Bogdanovich of Portland were nominated for the McDonald's All-American High School basketball team. They are two of 1,500 players nationwide who will be vying for spots on the East and West squads in the April 1 game at Miami.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com