Another Special Olympics Snowdogs’ basketball season has arrived and coach Brian Hamel said the team is off to a great start.
Practices began Dec. 3 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall and that was followed up by another session Dec. 7 at the new Sargent Family Community Center.
Thirty five athletes and one manager make up the team roster, with Tara Cote, Gail Hamel, Carl Michaud, Terry Perley and Presque Isle High School volunteers Hunter Flynn and Sydney Thompson serving as assistant coaches.
“Once again I continue to be amazed with the incredible people I get to be with two days a week for the three and a half months,” said Hamel, who begins his sixth year as the volunteer head coach. “I have the utmost respect for my athletes and I am so proud of their determination, hard work, good sportsmanship, teamwork and how they respect each other and everyone in their lives. It is an honor and privilege to be their coach.”
The team has a full schedule and it began with a game against the Presque Isle High School boys Dec. 21. The Snowdogs won a close one, 62-60, thanks to Kent Stevens’ shot at the buzzer that broke the tie.
A game against the Presque Isle High School girls is planned this afternoon at 3 p.m. at PIHS. This game will be streamed live on www.whoufm.com.
A Special Olympics Skills Competition takes place at UMPI’s Gentile Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 11 beginning at 9 a.m., an event which will conclude with the Snowdogs’ game against the Caribou High School boys at 11 a.m.
The Snowdogs will be the guests of honor at the Presque Isle High School boys’ and girls’ games on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m., while the season concludes with the weekend trip to the University of Southern Maine in Gorham March 17-19 for the State of Maine Special Olympics basketball tournament.
Last year, three Snowdogs’ teams competed in the state tournament and the Snowdogs came home with gold, silver and bronze medals in their respective divisions.
“We had over 100 fans who traveled to southern Maine to cheer the Snowdogs on, and I had a smile across my face all weekend watching the Snowdogs in action on and off the basketball court,” Hamel said. “This trip is certainly the highlight of the year for my athletes.”
Thanks to generous financial support, the Snowdogs are able to spend two nights at a hotel, dine out at four restaurants, attend special events on Friday and Saturday evenings, and travel in style on a Cyr Bus Line motor coach.
