On Sunday March 20th, the Hopewell Valley YMCA Special Olympics basketball team participated in the first ever Junior Basketball Tournament for Special Olympics New Jersey. Three teams competed in the central division, including the Hopewell Valley YMCA team. Half-court 3-on-3 basketball was played as a way to introduce basketball competition to athletes.
2016 SONJ Junior Basketball Tournament (Photo credit Heather O’Connell Photography)
The Hopewell Valley YMCA team was composed of four athletes: Delaney O’Connell, Maleah Holmes, Steven Hu, and Sebastian Gomez. The team won Gold by winning both of their games, defeating the Cubs and the ‘Lil Warriors. All the athletes proved their basketball skills contributing to the score in both games. It was an exciting afternoon.
The Hopewell Valley YMCA is currently enrolling for it’s Special Olympics Track and Field team and Tennis team. They offer sport for traditional athletes ages 5 and up, with competition starting at age 8. Sport is also offered for Unified Partners and volunteers ages 14 and up are welcome and needed. Please contact Heather at [email protected].
