BUCYRUS (Crawford County Now) — Wynford guard Bri Westrick and Colonel Crawford guard Camryn Powers had options.
The two players could play in the News Journal girls all-star game, but both decided to turn down the opportunity.
Instead, the two players decided to participate in the 7th Annual Crawford County High Schools-Crawford County Chargers Special Olympics Unified Basketball Exhibition Friday night at Bucyrus High School.
It’s a game where the Special Olympians get an opportunity to play with high school basketball players, and the fun and excitement are evident on everyone’s faces, high school, and Special Olympians.
That’s why the decision to play in the game was easy for Westrick and Powers.
“I had a lot of fun last year coming to do this and I wanted to do it again,” Westrick said. “It’s a great opportunity.
“We actually play together and have a lot of fun,” she added. “It’s a wonderful experience for everyone.”
Powers also felt that the experience was just too great to pass up.
“It’s real exciting to play in this game,” Powers said. “There are smiles on everyone’s faces. It’s a wonderful opportunity and so much fun.”
The seventh version of the game was the best yet, according to Kelly Hufford, the coordinator for Crawford and Morrow Counties.
“We raise over 1,500 to 2,000 dollars,” Hufford said. “It’s a great amount of money for us. All of the money we raise here goes back to all the players that we have here in Crawford County.”
Hufford added that all the money raised goes right back to all of the Special Olympians in a number of ways.
“In Crawford County, we use it for jerseys, equipment and pay for our referees; to do all the stuff going to state,” Hufford said. “We pay for all the players to play at state and that costs from $75 to $125 per person.”
The crowd attending the game was the largest yet for the Unified game, according to media director Gina Stewart.
“We have an absolutely incredible turnout tonight,” Stewart said. “We are absolutely thrilled, from the turnout of the community; and we are grateful for everyone that turned out tonight to show their love.”
For the record, the red team bested the gray, 56-44, but the score and the game itself took a backseat to the relationships and friendships that developed between the high school students and the Special Olympians.
“They love playing against high school students and it’s really cool because the high school students and the Chargers get together and they practice a couple of times and they get to be friends with them and things like that,” Hufford said. “It’s real exciting for them to play and make their shots and things like that.”
“If you’ve never been to one of those games, you have to come out; it’s a lot of fun and everyone smiles so much from ear to ear,” Hufford added.
Stewart praised the large crowd for coming out.
“We have an absolutely incredible turnout tonight,” Stewart said. “We are absolutely thrilled, from the turnout of the community; and we are grateful for everyone that turned out tonight to show their love.”
Buckeye Central senior Grace Collene said that getting the chance to play with the Special Olympians is an experience she will remember.
“It’s a really great opportunity; I really enjoy it,” Collene said. “Getting to know the players and getting to play with them.
“It’s a big thing; I have a ton of fun,” she added. “It’s an awesome opportunity. I have a great time getting to know the players.”
Stewart said that the relationships borne from this game will last a lifetime.
“It is so beneficial for the kids from the high schools and the athletes that are playing on our Special Olympics team,” Stewart said. “It’s nothing but love on both sides and, to see how everyone comes together. The relationships that are formed. We do a little pregame during the week, and we get the students and the athletes together. That way they can get to know one another.
“It’s amazing to see friendships form during these times and it’s evident with their play.”
There were also two contests that were held over the last few weeks as well.
In the coloring contest for students in second grade, Kayson Pfeifer of Wynford Elementary came away with the win.
Also, in the middle school poster contest, Isabel Ard of Bucyrus Middle School got the win. The students were challenged to create a poster that raises awareness, encourages inclusion of people with disabilities in the community, and positively reflects awareness and inclusion.