RARE Penguins No. 7 Mason Baerman and Shelby Pistons No. 11 Michelle Susalla show their basketball skills during the game.
By: Maria Allard | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published January 15, 2025
ROSEVILLE — The showdown was on.
During the early evening of Jan. 9, the RARE Penguins played their first-ever basketball game against the Shelby Pistons.
Both teams are members of the Northeast Adaptive Recreation Basketball League, which is open to teenagers and adults with cognitive and/or physical impairments. All skill levels are welcome. Players pay a fee to participate.
The Pistons play through the Shelby Township Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department. The Penguins’ initial game was held at the Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe building on Sycamore Street in Roseville. Before game time, RARE Assistant Director Sara Frederick — coach of the Penguins — gave the team a pep talk.
“Make sure you are dribbling the ball and rotating the ball,” she told the group.
Then they put their hands together and yelled, “Go Penguins!”
“All right, good job,” Frederick told the team after the first quarter.
The Shelby Pistons coaches, Aimee Davis and Amber Brunn, also rallied their star athletes.
“They love to compete and they want to have fun,” Davis said. “They have a great time and get a little bit of exercise.”
On the court, the Penguins wore blue and white; the Pistons wore red, white and blue. Both sprinted across the RARE auxiliary gymnasium like seasoned pros dribbling the ball, passing the ball and sometimes getting it into the basket. There was the occasional intercepted pass, a few layups throughout the night and plenty of good sportsmanship.
Cheers like “good rebound” and “nice pass” from the crowd added to the enthusiasm of the game. Michael Lipinski, whose dad, Tony Lipinski, is the RARE executive director, was the referee. The team played four eight-minute quarters.
Thirteen-year-old Mason Baerman, No. 7 for the Penguins, is so dedicated to his teammates that he made sure to attend each practice.
“I like to play. I like shooting,” he said. “The first game feels amazing, cool, really fun.”
His mom, Michelle Baerman, and brother, Ian Baerman, 7, were in the crowd.
“I’m so happy they added this. He’s been wanting to play for a long time,” Michelle Baerman said. “It’s been great to see. They just love each other. They have so much fun.”
Wearing a No. 5 jersey, Penguins shooting guard Zack Maracle couldn’t wait to get his game on.
“I’m excited. I try to be a good player,” he said. “Everyone is really good to me. We’re all really good friends. We cheer each other on. It’s a really cool experience.”
While players on both teams made baskets, organizers didn’t keep track of the score. The games — held in neighboring communities — are at 6 p.m. on Thursdays during January and February.