Middle school basketball players halt their game to defend a cheerleader with Down syndrome from bullying fans

Kenosha basketball players
(Image credit: Screenshot)

Middle schoolers aren't always known for standing up to a crowd, but at a basketball game in Kenosha, Wisconsin, three boys did just that.

Lincoln Middle School students Miles Rodriguez, Chase Vasquez, and Scooter Terrien noticed some fans in the stands were bullying a cheerleader, Desiree Andrews, who has Down syndrome. The boys walked off the court to come to her defense.

"It's not fair when other people get treated wrong, because we're all the same," Terrien said.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Since then, Andrews and the boys have become friends — they walk with her to class, and the team even calls the gymnasium "Dee's House," a nod to her nickname.

"It was sweet, kind, awesome, amazing," Andrews told WTMJ4. Watch the station's report on the heartwarming story, below. —Sarah Eberspacher

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.