This is the best use of a timeout we can imagine.

Three middle school boys basketball players in Kenosha, Wis., halted a recent game when they heard taunts from the stands directed at cheerleader Desiree Andrews, who has Down syndrome.

Chase Vazquez, Miles Rodriguez and Scooter Terrien walked off the court to confront the bully, a hugs-over-hoops gesture that Andrews called “sweet, kind, awesome, amazing.”

They explained to TMJ4 in Wisconsin why they felt compelled to act in defense of their classmate — and now, their friend.

Vazquez: “The kids in the audience were picking on Dee, so we all stepped forward.”

Rodriguez: “When I heard they were talking about her, it made me angry.”

Terrien: “It’s not fair when other people get treated wrong because we’re all the same. We’re all created the same.”

There is an effort ongoing to rename the gym at Lincoln Middle School. It would be called D’s House.