STATE CHAMPS | Local hoopsters win it all

Pictured with the state champion Blue team are (front from left) Sara Gaines, Maghan Ryder, Kelsi Hunt, manager Gary Knight, (back) cheer coach Adrian Hendricks, Kimbre Hendricks, Devin Sizemore, Mikey Sizemore, Alan Eisenhauer, Lincoln Hawkins, Joey Hobby, Corbin Gibson and Mikey Nelson. Not pictured are coaches Roy Gene Rogers and Lydell Hudson and cheer coach Ali Southard.

Players hail from Crittenden, Caldwell,

Union, Hopkins and Webster counties

Caldwell County’s Special Olympics basketball teams made their mark in a big way this season, with the Blue team capturing a state championship and the Gold team winning gold in a Skills and Drills competition.

The Blue team defeated Trigg County 32-27 in the title game, capping off a 16-game regular season in which they lost only twice — both times by narrow margins. Led by head coach Roy Gene Rogers, the squad’s only setbacks came by one point to Trigg and by two points to the Paducah Stars.

Meanwhile, Caldwell’s White team also brought home top honors, competing against five other delegations in Skills and Drills. The entire delegation, including several cheerleaders, left Louisville with medals.

Coach Rogers credited the teams’ success to the athletes' dedication, strong assistant coaches, and unwavering support from parents and the community. He is assisted by Lisa Hudson, Lydell Hudson and Jared Nelson, with Vickie Purcell serving as director of the Caldwell County Special Olympics program.

Growth of the program over the past 11 years has been just as impressive as this season’s triumphs. It began with a phone call from Director Purcell to Coach Rogers and has since developed into one of the most respected Special Olympics programs in Kentucky.

This year, Caldwell hosted one of the largest Special Olympics basketball tournaments in recent history, welcoming teams from across the state, including delegations from Louisville and Owensboro.

Athletes in the Caldwell Special Olympics program range from middle school age to 62, coming not only from Caldwell County but also from Crittenden, Union, Hopkins and Webster counties. In addition to basketball, the program offers cheerleading, bowling and track and field.

Those interested in participating can contact Coach Rogers at 270-625-2682 or Director Vickie Purcell at 270-625-9442.

Pictured with the Gold team are (front from left) manager Gary Knight, Katie Beth Purcell, Emily Melton, (back) coach Jared Nelson, Dylan Leitner, Tori Hooper, Carmen Orr, coach Lisa Hudson, Cynthia Preciado, Brayden Milan and Mateo Wilkins.