Hundreds of Special Olympics Missouri athletes, unified partners and their families (from across the state) filled gyms Saturday all over Jefferson City.
All day long, the city hosted SOMO's East Regional Basketball Tournament, according to Luke Lamb, the director of sports competition and statewide training. More than 700 athletes and about 60 unified partners participated in the event.
"We're pushing 800 competitors," Lamb said. "We have teams from St. Louis. We have teams from Cape Girardeau. We have teams from the Springfield area."
Since Jefferson City is in a central area of the state, there were competitors from other regions.
Beside the SOMO Training for Life Campus, athletes competed this weekend at First Baptist Church, Knowles YMCA, Trinity Lutheran High School, Lewis and Clark Middle School and Lincoln University.
"It's been a big team effort with staff and volunteers," Lamb said. "The Convention and Visitors Bureau here in Jefferson City's been a great help connecting us with schools and churches. A lot of phone calls. A lot of emails. A lot of follow-up. A lot of great individuals helping out."
The gymnasium in the SOMO Training for Life Campus was divided into four basketball courts for 3-on-3 half-court games.
"It's super-busy. We have four games going on at once," he said.
The top two finishers in each division on Saturday had opportunities to advance to the State Indoor Games, which will be March 24 and 25 in St. Charles. Divisions are determined by age, gender and ability, Lamb said.
"We try to match up teams of similar abilities," he said.
Adding to the vibe inside the campus was SOMO offering health screenings for athletes, Lamb said. SOMO also distributed donated items to athletes at the campus.
"A lot of chaos and busyness here. But it's good chaos," he said.
Linda Brokamp, an athlete's mother, a volunteer and a former board member, explained that the Fit Feet program brings a podiatrist into the campus. The podiatrist conducts assessments on athletes' feet. That podiatrist can refer athletes on to other specialists, or even connect them with properly fitting shoes.
A dentist at the campus Saturday checked athletes' oral health through the Special Smiles program. On top of those health checks, athletes could participate in Med-Fest, which offered blood pressure checks and discussions about nutrition.
"They help athletes to think about maybe having a healthier diet," Brokamp said. "If (staff and volunteers) find something that is concerning, they can try to work with the athlete or their guardians to get referrals back where they live."
Paige Braun, a coach from Callaway County Special Olympics, said the organization's 3-on-3 team felt good about its effort. The first game "was a little rough," but the second game ended in overtime.
"We really played hard. And all of them really were getting after it," Braun said. "I really appreciate that."
Two other Callaway County Special Olympics teams competed in skills at Trinity Lutheran High School and another team competed as a unified 5-on-5 team at Lincoln University.
"So we're all over town. We are spreading our wings all over the place," Braun said.
Athlete Joey Garrard, who competed last summer in the USA Games in Florida, said his signature basketball move is the sky-hook. He said other sports he participates in are bocce and bowling. He said he prefers basketball.
"It's my favorite sport," Garrard said, but added he had a good night on the lanes recently. "On my Tuesday night bowling league, I made 212."
Jefferson City News Tribune photo: Special Olympics Missouri's regional basketball tournament was hosted in Jefferson City on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Wentzville Eagles' Andre Tote (22) goes for a layup. Also pictured is Sedalia Storm's Dylan Martin.
Josh Cobb/Jefferson CIty News Tribune photo: Special Olympics Missouri held their regional basketball tournament in Jefferson City on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Regina Liveley of the Springfield Raptors looks to shoot the ball while players from the Springfield Raptors and Columbia New York Phantoms defend.