Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 133 No. 3 Spring 2012 | Page 18
Anthony Jacoby looks to pass to
Senior Center, Shane Tisa.
Senior Nick Johnson goes up for
a shot!
Special Olympics Basketball
On Saturday, February 25th, WSD Special Olympics basketball team competed in the Regional Tournament
at Wilmot High School. They competed in two games, winning one and losing one. WSD lost the first game
against the Racine Hawks 20-30. The game was heated and aggressive. After losing this game, WSD took a
break and regrouped to play the next game which they won against Janesville Swishers defeating them 30-20.
WSD has not beaten the Janesville Swishers in the previous two matches. With a 1-1 record, WSD did not
automatically advance to the Sectional Tournament. WSD’s name was put in a lottery for a chance to advance
to the Sectional Tournament, but unfortunately their name was not chosen.
On Tuesday, February 28th, WSD hosted a Unified Match between two teams consisting of a mix of Special
Olympic athletes and Varsity basketball players of both genders. The rules were that the varsity players could
only dribble and pass but not shoot. Special Olympians were the only players who were permitted to use all
skills. They played a close match and had a great time with Rene Ambrose and Ron Corrigan coaching each
unified team. Even the cheerleading teams combined efforts to fire up the crowd especially with their surprised
halftime show. Referees, Tony Davis, Dylan Laux and Darrick DuBois enjoyed refereeing the game. Fans were
amazed at the excitement, thrill and skill of the game.
This was the second year the unified game occurred. Last year, the game was created at the spur of the moment
when the Janesville team failed to show up for the match. The Special Olympians were disappointed and wanted
to play. The varsity players decided to join in and play the game with the rules as outlined above. The Special
Olympians loved this opportunity and tested out new skills and moves. Due to the excitement and inspiration
of this style of play, the game was intentionally planned for this year. This will continue annually as it promotes
skill development, enthusiasm, and interactions between the varsity and Special Olympic athletes.
Five athletes competed in the Special Olympic Regional Skills Tournament on Saturday, March 10th at
Badger High School in Lake Geneva. Each athlete was placed in a division according to their qualifying scores.
WSD athletes represented our school well and gave their best effort at the tournament. Charly Fleege placed
3rd in Division 10 and both Chloe Goetsch and Jon Post placed 4th, in division 2 and 1, respectively. Moving
on to the state meet were Wyatt Keller, Division 2 and Anthony Bole, Division 1 who each received first place
ribbons. Coach Rene Ambrose states: “Parent support has been great” and that on Saturday, March 10th in Lake
Geneva, “Wyatt Keller was HOT!” He had more baskets at the free-throw line at this one event than all season
combined. State Indoor Games were held at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh on Saturday, April 14th.
Wyatt Keller earned 4th place and Anthony earned 3rd place. Congratulations to all the athletes!
Special Olympics
basketball senior
standout, Shane
Tisa, rips down
the rebound while
Varsity Forward,
Arthur Hart attempts
to deflect the ball.
Deaf Referee,
Richard Kujawa
looks on.
Spring 2012 - 18
Varsity
Cheerleaders
combine efforts
with Special
Olympic
Cheerleader,
Cindy Martinez
to put some
grooves to their
move.