From 9 TV News in Denver:THORNTON, Colo. - The kids sometimes take eight or 10 steps between dribbles. They sometimes forget who they are guarding. No one seems to care. The kids are having fun and are learning a lot in the process, not just about the game of basketball.
Coach Jamey May has been working with youth sports teams for more than 30 years. But he will tell you, when it comes to the Wildcat team of first and second graders, he isn't the man in charge.
That job has been taken by 9-year-old Patrick McKinney. He is affectionately known as "Coach Patrick." (He's pictured, right, with one of his team members.)
"He told me two weeks ago that he is the coach now and I am his assistant," Coach May said. Patrick McKinney has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair.
The players on his team are just a few years younger than the young coach. Most of them are bigger than he is. Still, they respect him. They listen to him. They love him.
"Coach Patrick is a really great coach to us," 7-year-old Joel said.
Coach Patrick yells as loud and he can to try and get the officials attention. He called out, "Time out! Time out! Hey blue, time out!"
In the huddle he talks to his players, "Cover your guy. Make sure you don't go too hard to the basket." His players are fixed on him and nod their heads.
"Everybody knows if Patrick calls a time out then he has something he needs to tell them and they listen," Coach May said.
Coach Patrick loves everything about basketball. He will talk to the kids about ball handling and reminds them to keep their arms up on defense.
The players are learning a lot about the fundamentals of the game but they are also learning some fundamentals of life.
We are who we are on the inside.
Patrick's Mom, Becky McKinney says that is what touches her hear the most.
"Here is kind of a prime example. Patrick is invited to a birthday party. I called the mom and said, 'I am sure you know that Patrick is in a wheelchair. She said no, Chance didn't notice that,'" she said.
She added, "I think that it's wonderful that kids just look at Patrick as Patrick, just as another boy helping out with the basketball team."
Coach Jamey May says he will coach with Patrick as long as Patrick wants to do it. He said, "It means the world to me. I truly love this kid. He doesn't have the opportunity to run up and down the court like most 9 years old but that doesn't stop him. When I see him in the gym and he flashes that big smile, my heart melts."
We asked the 4th grader how long he wants to coach. Patrick said, "Until I am 100-years-old." Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Coach Patrick has plans beyond his young players. He said, "I am going to coach for the Denver Nuggets."
