WINSTON-SALEM — Rockingham County had 35 representatives at the 2008 Special Olympics State Tournament for basketball and cheerleading, which was held March 7-9 in Winston-Salem.
The 5-on-5 basketball team had a perfect record of 10-0 heading into the state games, but ran into some tough competition in the three-day event. The Lions finally met their challenge, but still ended up with a bronze medal. They ended the season at a solid 10-3.
The Rockingham Lightning, one of two 3-3 squads in the county, also played in the event taking home the silver medal. The team consisted of Cory Bradsher, Cierra Goins, Hilary Hanks, Taima Lancaster, Leon Robinson and Seth Woods. Patricia Merricks was the coach.
In the three-on-three division, the Rockingham Thunder brought home a fourth-place blue ribbon for their efforts. They had solid play on both ends of the court, but the shots just wouldn’t go down for the squad. The Thunder chipped away at an eight-point deficit in one game before time ran out. Betty Scearce was the coach of the team.
Mary Lou Greenfield and Jon Crumpton brought secured silver medals, while Frances Greenfield and Chelsea Watkins Galloway brought home fourth-place ribbons in the individual skills division. They were coached by Sandy Sowers and Janice Hodges.
The Rockingham Lions, the county’s first unified cheerleading squad, also was on hand at the state games to cheer on the teams.
A unified team matches athletes (mentally disabled) and partners (without disabilities) in hopes of creating friendships and greater awareness. Both goals were accomplished.
The team, which is coached by Tracey O’Bryant and Jessie Sanders, consisted of Mae Beth Boyd, Brittany Dickerson, Sarah Davis, Mary Dominguez, Caitlin Fitch, Taylor French, Kaitlyn Knight, Becky Livengood, Kara Martin, Heather O’Bryant and Jillian Walker.
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