March 15, 2024 — The atmosphere at Lorain High School was electrifying on Friday, March 15, as the school hosted its sixth annual Unified Special Olympics Basketball Tournament.
Unified Special Olympics stands out for its unique approach, pairing dedicated Special Olympics athletes with their typical peers who act as teammates and coaches.
Special Olympics Coordinator Dan Blatt, an intervention specialist at Lorain High School, expressed gratitude to all participants who helped organize the event. He said it is one his students look forward to every year because they are the stars of the day.
"I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone for their unwavering assistance and cooperation," he shared. "Together, we made this year's Special Olympics event truly unforgettable."
The tournament was livestreamed on YouTube via Lorain TV20, with WKYC Channel 3's Dave Chudowsky serving as the game announcer. Chudowsky is the morning news anchor on 3News' GO! alongside Maureen Kyle, Hollie Strano, and Carmen Blackwell.
This year's tournament schedule featured six games between teams from Lorain, Elyria, Sandusky, Avon, and John Marshall.
In the opening matchup, the Lorain Titans secured a decisive victory over the Elyria Pioneers with a final score of 33-10. This added another win to Lorain's record in the rivalry between the two schools.
In the second game, John Marshall defeated Sandusky 31-23.
Returning to the court for game three, Lorain faced off against Avon, emerging victorious with a final score of 31-22, securing back-to-back wins for the Titans in an exciting matchup against the Eagles.
In game four, Avon triumphed over Sandusky, closing with a score of 36-16. Game five saw Elyria narrowly defeated by John Marshall, with a final score of 25-24.
In the day's final game, Lorain returned to the court for their last matchup against Sandusky, ultimately triumphing with a final score of 27-17.
With a perfect 3-0 record for the day, Lorain emerged victorious in their matchups, showcasing their skill and teamwork on the court.
Head Basketball Coach Matt Kielian said he was happy to let his competitive nature come out just a bit as he coached his players and Special Olympians from the sidelines.
"This is a truly special day for everyone, and we are all excited to be a part of it," he said.