One of Neenah High School’s most uplifting annual events takes place on Thursday, Nov. 16 when the Special Olympics basketball team takes center stage with the varsity boys basketball team.
The Special Olympians will compete in a skills competition with members of the varsity basketball team starting at 7:15 p.m. in the Ron Einerson Fieldhouse. The Special Olympics team will then take on a faculty all-star team in an exhibition game. A unified dance team consisting of varsity girls volleyball athletes and Special Olympics athletes will perform at halftime.
This year marks the fourth straight year the Special Olympians have been part of the basketball team's “Meet the Rockets” night. The event promotes inclusion of all students at Neenah High School and typically brings out a loud student cheering section.
Neenah’s Special Olympics White team won the Division 8 state championship last spring for the second time in the past three years. The Red team was the Division 6 runner-up last season. Both teams had to advance through a sectional tournament and a semifinal round to reach the finals.
The boys basketball team will be introduced and will compete in a scrimmage at 6 p.m. The Special Olympics event that follows is titled, “Phase 2 Squared.” The event is free admission, however, donations toward Special Olympics will be accepted.
Neenah is one of a small number of Wisconsin high schools to sponsor its own Special Olympics team. Neenah’s Special Olympics team plays in a variety of tournaments against local schools and organizations throughout the winter. The season culminates with a regional tournament and skills event in March.
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