The first of three articles highlighting the seasons of the Marshall 1, Marshall 2 and Marshall 3 Special Olympic Basketball Teams before the state tournament on Mar. 14.
Marshall County Special Olympics Basketball kicked off the 2019-2020 season with the addition of a third team. After the 2018-2019 season coach Jonny Byrd had 30 athletes on two teams and knew they needed to form a third team.
“Roster limit is 15, playing time is limited with six-minute running clock quarters so we split the two teams where the top four scorers of Marshall 1 and the 3-4 lower scorers of Marshall 2 would benefit from being on a team in the middle. Coach Byrd said. “Now we have a lower ability, middle ability, and a higher ability team where we can place or move athletes exactly where they need to be. We have seen a ton of improvement from all the athletes”
Marshall 1 has played every team in every ability level in this area which proved challenging for the team.
“We played several tournaments this season seeing different teams at different levels which helps a team prepare for the regional tournament”, Coach Byrd said. “The goal before the regional is for Special Olympics of Kentucky to get game summary forms and observation reports to help place each team in the correct bracket. I think each bracket was really close except for Marshall 1’s game. We really should’ve played a lower skilled team, but you play who you play and go on.”
Marshall 1 played the Barren County Sparks at the regional and did not advance to the state tournament.
“This team played for a state championship last season”, Coach Byrd said. “We took players off, moved players around. After all that they learned to play together, moved the ball around, and got better. That’s what it’s all about, getting better and having a good time playing the game. They all got to play more and score more.”
The team will compete in the State Skills Tournament in Louisville March 14 at Berrytown Rec Center against other teams that didn’t qualify for the state tournament. Teams will compete in drills that include passing, shooting and dribbling in the morning session. Teams who advance to the afternoon session will compete against each other in hopes of earning a medal.
“Our athletes don’t quit,” Coach Byrd said. “They will do their best and compete as hard as they can. No matter the outcome we are very proud of them. Go Marshals!”
Marshall 1 results:
Lost – Murray Grey 42, Marshall 12
Won – Marshall 21, Caldwell Gold 10
Lost – Murray Green 30, Marshall 14
Lost – Christian Co. Tigers 38, Marshall 18
Won – Marshall 18, Hopkins Co. Patriots 16
Lost – Owensboro Blasters 29, Marshall 6
Won – Marshall 16, McCracken Co. Stallions 6
Won – Marshall 20, Hopkins Co. Patriots 10
Won – Marshall 16, McCracken Co. Stallions 9
Lost – Christian Co. Colonels 34, Marshall 8
Lost – Murray Green 30, Marshall 12
Lost – Barren Co. Sparks 48, Marshall 19