COEUR d'ALENE - Jesse Christensen and David Shiplett aren't just best friends. They consider themselves brothers.

The two 19-year-olds goofed around and made each other laugh Wednesday evening as they waited for their turn to play in the third annual Special Needs Basketball Extravaganza in North Idaho College's Christianson Gym.

"Me and Jesse are best brothers," said Shiplett, of Hayden, as he threw an arm over Christensen's shoulder. "We've been brothers ever since high school."

The basketball extravaganza provided an evening for spirited sportsmanship, enthusiastic competition and showcasing the sporty skills of more than 40 special individuals ages 7-47.

Four teams took the court - the Trojans played the Cardinals in the first half and the Jayhawks played the Zags in the second half. Christensen and Shiplett rocked the neon green Jayhawks jerseys. The backs of all jerseys read, "Friends multiply blessings and divide burdens."

"It's pretty sweet, I love it," said Christensen, of Coeur d'Alene. "It's competitive and fun."

Shiplett admitted his favorite part was flirting with the NIC cheerleaders.

"I'm a ladies man," he said, smiling big. "I'm enjoying myself, hanging out with my brothers and making girls laugh."

The teams were introduced by a booming voice over the loudspeakers. The lights were dimmed, the fog machine and dazzling lights generated an all-star atmosphere and cheering fans formed a line to high-five their favorite players as they ran past them to the center of the court. The crowd roared as the individuals players' names were announced, and the roaring was exceptionally loud as Anthony "A-Train" Eastman King of Post Falls performed a stylish cartwheel.

NIC dual-enrolled student Elizabeth MacCoy, 17, of Hauser Lake and her friend, Sarah Smallwood, 18, of Post Falls, cheered from the bleachers for Elizabeth's little sister, Rebecca MacCoy, 15.

"She loves basketball," Elizabeth said. "We have a hoop back at home and so she plays basketball in her spare time and she's actually so good. She's better than I am."

It was Rebecca's first time playing at the annual extravaganza, but Elizabeth said she also plays basketball for Real Life Ministries.

"Obviously, I'm proud," Elizabeth said.

Other proud moms, dads, grandparents, siblings and friends lined the top and bottom rows of bleachers as they watched the action on the court. The Lake City High School pep band played upbeat sports game tunes and students from Sorensen Magnet School of Art showed off their juggling skills at halftime.

Event organizer and NIC instructor Cal DeHaas of Coeur d'Alene is a former NIC women's basketball coach who envisioned making a sports night which honors and puts the spotlight on special needs individuals so they could shine.

"I've always had a dream to create an environment for these special needs kids to feel that energy in the gymnasium," he said. "Just like a college rival game or a high school rival game."

He said it is the biggest event of the year for many of the participants and that it is an honor to have a night that is just for them.

"They've been talking about it and dreaming about it for the last month at least," he said. "It's a big deal, it really is."

The extravaganza was hosted by NIC and sponsored by Real Life Ministries.