The Sunshine Coast Special Olympic Basketball teams from Gibsons and Sechelt travelled to Charles Best Secondary School in Coquitlam on Saturday, Feb. 3 for a day of basketball. There were 17 teams divided into four divisions. Gibsons and Sechelt were in the same division and were scheduled for four games each.
This was the fifth time at the tournament for Gibsons, and the first time for Sechelt. Last minute changes to their roster left Sechelt with only six players. The Gibsons team stepped in to help, and each game a few players joined the Sechelt bench to give their players an opportunity for a breather.
It was non-stop basketball! Between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., teams from Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford, Surrey, Burnaby and the Sunshine Coast played 40 games. Players ranged in age from 13 to 60, and came in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes the shortest player was the best rebounder.
The players from the Sunshine Coast had a great day of basketball with each player demonstrating some awesome drilling, passing or shooting. All were happy to have a chance to relax on the ferry before going home to a bath and pyjamas.
Special thanks to coaches Samantha Giampa, Laurie Miller, Marion West and Alex Robertson. It was a great team building experience.
– Submitted
