The Special Olympics Basketball team is made up of 39 individuals separated into the Blue, Gold, and White Team, who all have a variety of game schedules. The team continues to grow each year as more and more athletes sign up to play.
“I have always had a love for basketball, and when the opportunity came up to coach Special Olympics Basketball, I knew that I had to go for it,” head coach Emma Dominelli said. “I am also a special education teacher, so I am very passionate about working with this population of athletes.”
The team currently has the SC upper gyms two days a week to either practice, or host games. Their schedule is as packed as possible so the players can have ample opportunity to compete. The season is spread out to last all the way through the winter months, with their annual Pack the Place event occurring on Jan. 23, in the NC Fieldhouse at 5 p.m. This is the last official game, before the team heads off to compete for a chance at State.
“We play teams of similar ability levels during the district tournament, and winning at the district tournament advances us to the state tournament,” Dominelli said.
The team always has yearly goals of not just making it to state but reaching over that ideal as well.
“Our goal is to bring a Special Olympics Basketball State Championship to LT,” Jerry Rigo said.
Rigo, along with being an assistant varsity football coach, is the head coach of the blue team- and works with the students he coaches during the transition program at LT.
“Look out for Robby Ballin ‘27, Luke Rowen ‘28, and Fletcher Dixon ‘24, to play hard nose aggressive defense, while Silvia Wicklander ‘28 and Jack Van Alphen ‘26 handle the ball and look to score fast and often,” Rigo said.
On Nov. 21, the team had a successful victory against D99 from Downers Grove North for their first home game. Players worked well together, using a series of plays and strategies to move the ball up and down the court. The audience always turns out and, with seats and stands so packed, many viewers are forced to stand. The next game will be Dec. 17 at Glenbard West at 5 p.m.