Saline Green Wasps Take Third at Special Olympic State Hoops Tournament

The Saline Green Wasps took third place in Division 6 at the Special Olympics of Michigan State Basketball Tournament Saturday, March 27 in Rockford.

Members of the team were awarded bronze medals to the cheers of family and friends in attendance at the awards ceremony following their last game.

The Saline athletes played two very competitive games, splitting the weekend with one win and one loss. The two-day competition brought a thousand athletes, coaches and chaperones from all around Michigan to Rockford. About 350 volunteers were also on hand providing support, encouragement and cheers.

“Every single Saline athlete played hard, did their best and displayed superb sportsmanship,” said Green Wasps coach Karl Rabe. “We are all very proud of the way they represented Saline.”

The Green Wasps earned the right to represent Saline at the state tournament by taking first place in Division 7 at the regional tournament held March 5 in Saline. Donations raised at a fundraising exhibition basketball game held March 17 at Liberty School raised money for the athletes to attend the state tournament. Each year starting in December, 37 athletes comprising four Saline teams practice weekly and play in a series of competitions culminating in the state tournament in March.

“Special Olympic provides an opportunity these athletes in our community wouldn’t otherwise have to reap the benefits of regular athletic competition we all recognize as enriching and valuable to the development of children and young adults,” said coach Rabe. “We are grateful for the tremendous support we receive from the Saline Area Schools district, , families, volunteers and the whole Saline community.”

The athletes have begun weekly training for track and field and will be competing against athletes in the region at the track in the spring.