Special Olympics basketball team shows skills in scrimmage
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Clockwise from top left: Ethan Hoehn, Tristan Fessler, Christina Johnson, Joe Ebling, and Calli Burger.
MAR LIN – Schuylkill County’s Special Olympics basketball team had the chance to show off their skills in a scrimmage Monday evening.
The game was between the county Special Olympics “Hoopsters” and the “Court Rats” Of Ehrlich Pest Control, Pottsville, held at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit school in Mar Lin, Norwegian Township.
“A lot of people don’t know that we exist in Schuylkill County except for a one day track and field event,” said Christine McNavage, program manager. “That is not the case.”
McNavage highlighted the fact that Schuylkill County’s Special Olympics program covers a wide variety of sports, including basketball, as showcased Monday, as well as bowling, bocce, flag football, volleyball, swimming, and softball.
The basketball team is in their training season, McNavage said, and the scrimmage was used as a training opportunity for the team as well as an outreach opportunity for the community.
“It benefits children starting at the age of 8 to 98 in Schuylkill County with [intellectual] disabilities,” McNavage said.
The activities are at no cost to the participants, and fundraising, including a bake sale held with the game, helps cover the costs.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, and always looking for participants,” McNavage added. Potential volunteers can get in touch with the organization by emailing them at [email protected], by phone at 570-617-6188, by mail at PO Box 691, Minersville, PA 17954, or Facebook at Special Olympics Pa – Schuylkill County.
According to an informational pamphlet provided at the event, Special Olympics Pennsylvania began in 1970 and has grown to include nearly 20,000 athletes in 21 Olympics-type sports at over 300 local, sectional, and state level competitions. The Schuylkill County squad will compete at Kutztown University in Berks County in May as part of a regional competition.
Shortly after halftime of Monday’s scrimmage, the Hoopsters held a sizable lead over Ehrlich, though it was all-smiles all around for all involved.
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