Oak Lawn Eagles Soar At Special Recreation All Stars Basketball Day

OAK LAWN, IL — Despite frigid temperatures, hundreds of fans turned out last Saturday for the Oak Lawn Eagles Special Rec All Stars Basketball Day at Richards High School. Fans were treated to games between the Oak Lawn Eagles Gray, Blue, Maroon, Green and Black teams.

It was the sixteenth year the games were held, which started from humble beginnings at St. Linus School by John Zawaski and Jimmy Richards, whose daughter, Jenna, plays for the Eagles. Both fathers felt that the Oak Lawn Park District’s special recreation teams deserved more face time with the community.

For the all-stars, it’s a day to shine in front of family, friends and the community. The Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreation basketball program draws players from Bridgeview, Burbank, Evergreen Park, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Summit, Clyde Park, Crestwood and Hometown.

Many of the players last Saturday were around for the first games in 2010, playing on the Junior Jordans squads for players 8 to 15, before graduating to the Oak Lawn Eagles, for participants age 16 and up. In addition to the Oak Lawn Eagles scrimmages, the Junior Jordans offered up a skills demonstration, followed by a half-time performance by the Oak Lawn Pep Squad, and split-the-pot raffles.

The Sweet 16 all-star games were a true community affair, featuring the Richards High School cheer and dance teams, announcing by player Josh Carroll, and a legion of dedicated parents and volunteers to make sure everything ran smoothly.