Thrilling Final Score on Basketball Senior Night Brings Tears and Cheers

The basketball court at Nashville’s Franklin Road Academy (FRA) erupted into jubilant cheers on Senior Night, February 5, as Robert Lewis — a student with Down Syndrome — scored a thrilling shot that ended the game.

Lewis, manager of FRA’s basketball team, was granted the rare chance to play that night by coach John Pierce. Ironically, the rival team was from University School of Nashville (USN), where Lewis’ younger brother, Matthew, plays.

Lewis’ winning 3-point shot sealed FRA’s 64-47 victory over USN. This footage shows the shot, as well as Matthew encouraging his older sibling despite the two technically playing on opposing teams.

“There was a lot of love in that gym — from both sides,” said Judy Lewis, the mother of both boys, in an interview with Style Blueprint, a lifestyle blog that focuses on events across the American South, including those in Nashville. Credit: Jeffrey Malkofsky-Berger