Volunteer coaches Mario Pizighelli and Ray Gallagher may not have children of their own who have special needs, but they've taken to guiding boys and girls who otherwise wouldn't have an organized outlet to play sports, in the Newtown Parks & Recreation Hoopsters Adaptive Basketball Program.

The Hoopsters, who play on the hardwood every Saturday for three months during the winter, concluded their season, at Hawley School on March 12. After passing, dribbling, and scoring baskets they participated in a season-ending awards ceremony and pizza party.

Pizighelli and the late Ken Ayles started the program eight years ago.

"I was asked and we started it," said Pizighelli, adding that he was a bit skeptical about how he'd do in the special needs coaching arena.

"At first I didn't think I could do it, but once I started I really enjoyed it," Pizighelli recalls. "I didn't know anything about special needs kids."

Pizighelli has come a long way in working with these athletes, and they've made significant strides on the court.

Initially, the players mostly wanted to shoot the ball at the basket, but they've learned about teamwork and strategy, notes Dave Cicchesi, whose son, Jordan, is a member of the Hoopsters.

"Now they're passing it, they're holding it, they're trying to give it to the other team and help the other team," said Cicchesi, adding that it's great to have a broad range of ages playing together.

"It has been a phenomenal program. It encompasses the age groups from 5-6-year-olds on up to 16-17-year-olds," said John Reisert, whose son Patrick, 11, is a participant.

Patrick's twin sister, Kristen, volunteers to help out with the team members. Gabby Reisert, a freshman at the high school, also goes to the court to work with the participants.

The Hoopsters have plenty of help from high school students, and "that's really what makes the program special," Reisert said.

"It's the highlight of the week," Gallagher, who became involved because he was inspired by Ayles' story, said of coaching in the Hoopsters program.

Part of his story, parents and coaches recall, is that Ayles stood at 6-foot-10 and used to reach up and clank his ring off the backboard to help a sight-impaired player find the hoop.

Laura Nowacki has four children involved with the Hoopsters: player Johnny and helpers Sarah, a seventh-grader, along with Ben, a ninth-grader, and Micaela, who comes back from college to lend a hand.

"Helping the kids - getting a feeling of satisfaction when you help them play basketball," Sarah Nowacki said is what she enjoys most about helping coach the team members.

"It's a lot of fun just watching them have fun," Ben Nowacki added.

Laura Nowacki notes that the Hoopsters provide not only a great opportunity for the players, but also their siblings, because they are exposed to their special needs family members in a different setting.

"It's beyond huge," Laura Nowacki said of the Hoopsters. "It's unique to our town."

On top of being beneficial to the participants and their siblings, the Hoopsters program also provides something for the moms and dads of those who participate.

"It's almost like a support group for the parents," said Cicchesi, explaining that they can relate with one another better than in other settings.

Pizighelli's favorite part about the program is "just seeing the joy these kids get out of it - interacting with one another."

Newtown High student volunteers Matt Kugler and Silas Decker serve as an assistant coaches, providing tips and assistance to the players.

"It's just a really rewarding experience being able to help kids and give them something to do for a few hours - see them smile when they get a basket or dribble," Kugler said.