Special Olympians return from Central Maine basketball competitions
The student team, from left, Valerie Giles, Vincent Giles, John”Piper” Rankin, Zander Blake, Amber Hyson, Grace Giles, Kelsey Hoyle, Isaac Pray and Lucian Stoddard. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
The adult team, from left, Donny Dunning, Danny Miller, Ronda LeConte, Joey Ranco and Matt Farnham. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Jameson “Horatio” Brooks handles the ball before warm ups. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Blake Chadwick takes a shot. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Ronda LeConte looks for a pass. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
The student team, from left, Valerie Giles, Vincent Giles, John”Piper” Rankin, Zander Blake, Amber Hyson, Grace Giles, Kelsey Hoyle, Isaac Pray and Lucian Stoddard. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
The adult team, from left, Donny Dunning, Danny Miller, Ronda LeConte, Joey Ranco and Matt Farnham. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Jameson “Horatio” Brooks handles the ball before warm ups. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Blake Chadwick takes a shot. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Ronda LeConte looks for a pass. Courtesy of Earl Brewer
Boothbay region’s Special Olympians traveled to the University of Maine in Orono to contend in the Central Maine basketball skills and tourney competition March 20.
The adult team played hard in their final game, but could not quite edge Charlotte White Center as they fell 28-18 and claimed fifth place. Ronda LeConte led with 15 points and Joey Ranco put up three points. Danny Miller and Matt Farnham provided many great assists and Donny Dunning put his all into pulling down rebounds.
“They played very well, and the height they just didn’t have. It was a fierce battle on the outside shooting ... ” said Coach Toby LeConte.
The student team won semifinals against Penobscot Valley, 12-10. Valerie Giles scored six points, Kelsey Hoyle scored four points and Isaac Pray scored two points. The students followed with a tough 24-10 loss to Hampden Academy for the bronze medal. Valerie Giles scored six points, Grace Giles scored two points and Isaac Pray scored two points.
“(Isaac) had his best 2 tournament games so far of his career. He was blocking, rebounding and moving the ball throughout his team,” said LeConte. “Vincent Giles, Zander Blake, John ‘Piper’ Rankin and secret weapon, Lucian Stoddard, also saw tournament action.”
Skills athletes also performed well in each age group level. Blake Chadwick took eighth place in the 16-to-21-year-old event; Izabelle Hamlin took home the gold while James Goozie and Anthony Angelico tied for the bronze in the 11 and under groups; and Jameson Brooks and Coyle Lawler placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 11 and under group.
LeConte said she was impressed with such an exceptional team of athletes.
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