LAPEER COUNTY (WJRT) -
(02/28/13) - He's smaller than the rest of the team, but you'd never know by his heart or his attitude.
Fifteen-year old Tristan Heinz from Swartz Creek has dwarfism, but it's not stopping him from making a big impact on his teammates.
And now thanks to them, his dream came true. The coaches all worked together to make something very special happen.
Tristan left it all on the court, and did something he's wanted to do his entire life.
As team manager, Tristan is always there for a quick pep talk.
"I just kind of keep them pumped, keep them up when they're losing, can't let them get their heads down," he said.
With dwarfism, he only stands a few feet tall, but that doesn't wipe the smile off his face while he helps the team warm up for the game, and pals around with the boys.
"I talked to my assistants and said it'd be really cool if we could get him a bucket, or at least get him in the game because he can make the shot," said varsity head coach Scottie Wright.
And when he got his chance to start the game, Tristan showed everyone: he's got the heart of someone 10-feet-tall.
He scored the Dragon's first shot of the game and it's something he'll never forget.
"It felt pretty good to be able to start, they just set it up, talked to Kearsley's coach, it was awesome, it was a good, great experience," Tristan said.
"The whole coaching staff teared up, I turned around and looked at them, they're eyes were watering, my eyes were watering," Wright said.
For the boys, Tristan is an inspiration, and a big part of the team.
"The moment he made it, his whole face lit up, it was the best moment I've ever seen, it was just awesome to hear the crowd, they gave him a standing ovation," said Max Cummings, a senior player on the team.
"He inspires me to play harder and harder, he always asks me if I'm going to dunk for him," said JD Tisdale, a senior player on the team.
The University of Michigan was so inspired by the YouTube video, they invited Tristan to a practice to meet their basketball team. The Swartz Creek head coach plans to go to Ann Arbor with Tristan and his family.
