Athletes from Kosciusko County competed in a Special Olympics basketball tourney recently. Those taking part in the women’s skills competition are shown above. From left are Joe Baranowski (coach), Michelle Ousler, Courtney Linnemeier (coach), Mary Bicknell, Sandy Hunter, Marti Sullivan, Sharon Singleton, Jada Antonides (coach), Sandy Bibler and John Bonitati (coach). (Photos provided)

UPLAND — Special Olympics Indiana Kosciusko County athletes competed in the “Take It To  The Hoops” basketball tournament recently.

The event was sponsored by Special Olympics Indiana Grant County and hosted by Taylor University.

Kosciusko County Director for Special Olympics Becky Walls stated the county’s Special Olympics Panther basketball team and skills participants competed against other area athletes in this regional winter tournament event.

Results from the team basketball double elimination tournament first game, the Panthers lost to Cass County by a score of 32-23.  They won a close 29-24 contest against Madison County.  The Panthers had to again face Cass County and lost 31-12 in their third and final game.

In the skills competition, the following local athletes placed as follows in their respective divisions: Sharon Singleton (2nd), Sandy Hunter (2nd), Michelle Ousley (3rd), Mary Bicknell (4th), Sandy Bibler (4th), Martha Sullivan (4th), Jim Nuell (1st) and J.D. Miller (3rd).

Joe Baranowski, veteran Kosciusko County Special Olympics basketball coach noted that our county athletes played exceptionally well this year against fierce competition.

The Panthers took part in a recent Special Olympics basketball tournament. The team is shown above. In back (from left) are Tim Hunt, Kirk Conrad, coach Tim Swartz, Robert Svinavich, Matt Baker and Wayne Momeyer. In front are Chris Cole, Matt Bmmel, Amy Philson, Gabe Santana and Kevin McPeak.