The basketball regional tournaments for the Special Olympics of Colorado were held Sunday, Feb. 13, at Mesa State College in Grand Junction.
The Cortez Special Olympics Pitbulls were fortunate enough to attend. They played the Grand Junction Dribblers and won with a score of 52-17. The Pitbulls played a second game with Delta but lost by a score of 49-29.
The Pitbulls placed second out of five teams, which qualified them for the state tournament on Saturday, March 19, in Lakewood. One of the Cortez Special Olympians, Wesley Hamilton, played his first basketball game in 10 years and has been participating in Special Olympics. He is enjoying himself tremendously. Hamilton has participated in basketball practice, but had never played in regional or state games. Hamilton is looking forward to playing in the state basketball tournament this year.
The Cortez Special Olympics would like to thank the Knights of Columbus and the Four Corners Womens Invitational Bowlers for their monetary donations to start the 2011 sports season off, and Manaugh Elementary School Principal Rick Hover for the use of the gym to practice in.
Anyone who would like to donate toward this years season can send a donation to Marcelino Aldaz, Cortez Special Olympics, 13691 County Road 28, Dolores, CO 81323.
With the ongoing inflation, Colorado requires the local programs to operate solely on fundraising. Special Olympics is required to raise enough funds to pay for its own transportation, meals and lodging.