3 Teams From District 99 Hoops Make State Basketball Tournament

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Three teams from District 99 Hoops have landed a spot to compete in the Special Olympics State Basketball Game in March.

Teams one, three and four, made up of students from Downers Grove North and South High Schools, qualified for the three-day tournament, which will be held in Bloomington-Normal.

"It is very difficult for teams to qualify for the State tournament, as teams have to win both of their games at the regional tournament," District Special Olympics Coordinator Kim Hartsfield told Patch.

She said, "With having four districtwide teams, we are hopeful to qualify even just one team every year. So to qualify three teams is super special and a great experience for our athletes."

Team one is made up of Tristan Baluan, Darius Davis, Kendrell Jordan, Fady Mekhail, Byron Hodges, Eddie Small and Maurice Williams. The team is led by coaches Kevin Ahrens and Jack Cannon.

Team three is coached by Sarah Scallmoser and Brett Wolf, along with student coaches Taylor Burgess, Madelyn Esslinger, Ada Gilmartin, Sophia Lodhi, Nate Lauer and Stefania Mossman. The team three players heading to state are Rocky Bergh, Xavery Briggs, Chris Cohn, Steven Croce, Jack Delaney, Ryan de Los Santos, Shane Giblin, Sam Gonzalez, Jacky Gomez, John Lee, Matthew Max, Jacob McMahan, Elizabeth Mejia and Samantha Zuniga.

Coached by Jeri Smolek and PJ Pakowski, team four features the court skills of Joshua Cheek, Maddie Goddard, Adam Grane, Nathan Jacob, Grace Knuchel, Erin Lamontanga, Shannon Lamontanga, Ava Lansu, Isabel Richmond, Valeria Romero, Teagan Schuh, Easton Stephens, Logan Tink, Alex Whittington and Andrew Willer.

Team four's student coaches are Ashley Adamo, Anthony Galasso, Olivia Sashin, Flynn Scoggin and Tallulah Sporer.

The state basketball tournament is set for March 7 through March 9.