U.S.

Middle school basketball players defend bullied cheerleader

/ CBS/AP

Basketball team protects cheerleader from bullying

KENOSHA, Wis. -- Several middle school basketball players in Kenosha have taken a stand against bullying in a unique way.

The student athletes stood up for one of the team's cheerleaders when they heard some derogatory words directed toward her during a basketball game at Lincoln Middle School.

Chase Vazquez, Scooter Terrien and Miles Rodriguez walked off the court in the middle of the game to address the mean-spirited comments directed at cheerleader Desiree Andrews, who has Down syndrome.

Rodriguez says it made him mad to hear the comments. Terrien tells WTMJ-TV it's not fair because we're all created the same.

The team played their last game Tuesday night in the gym that they have renamed "D's House."

The Kenosha News posted a video of the school celebrating "D's House."

First published on March 12, 2015 / 12:59 PM EDT

© 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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