Deaf Augusta basketball player creates signal system on court to communicate with team
Alexis Simmons is no stranger to defying the odds.
Born without hearing, the Cross Creek sophomore has been playing basketball since the seventh grade. That hasn’t slowed her down from competing in the sports she loves.
She just completed her junior varsity season with the Lady Backs’ basketball program, which has a recent history of producing varsity superstars. If the stiff competition weren’t enough of a learning curve, Simmons and her teammates have had to create their own language on the court – all while still learning the fundamentals of basketball.
“Her knowledge of certain rules isn’t there, so we’ve had to do some explaining with that,” Cross Creek girls’ basketball coach Kim Schlein said. “She’s very observant when play stops, she’s looking to see officials. She must pay attention to that because she can’t hear the whistle. We have certain calls that we do hand signals with to help her understand what we’re doing. The girls are good about making sure she’s aware of what we’re running.”
Through an interpreter, Simmons said the speed of the game made it more difficult than her middle school days. That rings true for just about any sophomore cutting their teeth on the high school basketball court, but she’s also adapting better every day.
“She learns quickly,” Schlein said. “She learns by watching, so she’s a good kid who works hard. She’s hung in there and she’s come a long way.”
Having a program led by a veteran coach and experienced players doesn’t hurt. The team has embraced Simmons and is committed to making their plan on the floor work for her.
“The kids have taken her in and are protective of her and look out for her,” Schlein said.
Basketball isn’t her only sport, either. Simmons competes on Cross Creek’s track and cross-country teams and plans to play tennis this spring.
While she may not know it now, there are young students with disabilities across the CSRA that may be going back and forth on competing in their favorite sports. Simmons is a shining example of what high school athletics is about. Her potential impact on the sports landscape could be felt for years.
Simmons said she hopes her story will help others down the road.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Deaf Cross Creek sophomore Alexis Simmons grows on basketball court
