Two years ago, Alberto Diaz, 15, suffered a stroke on the West Hall High School track that left him battling for his life.

It has been a remarkable recovery for the Johnson High School student, who was in critical condition when he was first taken to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta.

Physical and speech therapy has allowed Diaz to walk unassisted and make a return to what he loves: athletics.

Earlier this month, Diaz was among 50 Hall County students who competed in the state indoor winter Special Olympics in Marietta.

Diaz joined players from Johnson, North Hall and West Hall high school to form a Hall County basketball team.

During the final game Sunday, it was Diaz who scored the final two points. Scott Crain, Special Olympics coordinator for Hall County Schools called the sight inspiring.

"While his physical abilities kept him from keeping up with the fast-paced game, he never gave up," Crain said.

The Hall County team was losing to Central Gwinnett when a Gwinnett player handed the ball to Diaz.

All the players stepped back to let Diaz take the shot. Each time he missed, the Gwinnett player returned the ball until Diaz sank a basket before the clock ran out.

The entire gym then erupted into a standing ovation for the two students and the gesture brought many in the audience to tears, Crain said.

"I was tremendously proud of all the players that weekend, but Alberto happened to be the one that made us cry," Crain said.

The Hall County team walked away with a silver medal, which Diaz keeps in his bedroom.

Crain described the game as "one of those wonderful moments in sports that can never be forgotten."

He's also proud of the progress Diaz has made since leaving the hospital.

"It has been a team effort among therapists and the school," Crain said. "Everyone rallied around Alberto."

The stroke impacted the right half of Diaz's body, but he's made major strides in therapy.

"It was a heartfelt story for all us that he made such a great comeback," Crain said.

Diaz, who spoke with the assistance of special education teacher Julie Johnson, said the basketball games were fun and there was "a lot of action."

He's looking forward to competing again next year, and he won't stop there.

He hopes to compete in the track and field event for the Special Olympics this summer.

"You don't like to walk, you like to run, right?" Johnson asked, which sparked a grin Friday from Diaz.

"I want to run every day," he replied.