Drumright Autistic Athlete Scores First Basket Of Senior Night Game

A Drumright High School basketball player who has special needs is showing his community anything is possible.

Tyler Lafarlette scored the first basket in the game against Olive on Senior Night this week.

The autistic teen tipped off the ball and a teammate passed it right back to Tyler, who did not give up on making the layup.

"It's just a dream come true. It's just something, you know, a mother always wants to see,” Mary Lafarlette, Tyler’s mom, said.

While Mary is busy running her flower shop, getting ready for Valentine's Day, she has basketball on her mind.

"He told me he was just gonna help manage them and workout with them and then the next thing I know, I had to go get him basketball shoes,” she said.

Tyler's momentum was on display again in the third quarter, scoring a total of 10 points, helping Drumright end the night with a big win. The final score was 89-20.

Earlier in the season, Tyler also made a three-pointer in the game against Dewar.

"It's been magical to watch,” Drumright football coach Tod Price said.

Coach Price helped Tyler kick off his high school athletic career in the fall when Tyler ran the first down during a playoff game.

"First time I met him he came up to me, said, 'Hey I'm Tyler. Who are you?' I said, 'I'm Coach Price.' And he opened his arms,” Price said.

The football and basketball Tyler used are now his own to keep.

In a framed team photo Tyler can cherish forever, one note reads: "Thank you for coming out this year, teaching us more than we did you. Always win the day!"

The next chance to see Tyler play is at Friday night's game against Yale.

The school said he will also be playing baseball in the spring.