Local Special Olympics hoop teams medal at state tourney

6 years ago

GORHAM, Maine — One local Special Olympics basketball team won a gold medal and two others captured bronze medals at the state tournament held at the University of Southern Maine on March 10. 

The Snowdogs’ Blue No. 2 Team, coached by Gail Hamel and Tara Cote, went 4-0 to win the Div. III tourney.

The White Team, coached by Brian Hamel and Sydney Thompson, placed third in the Div. I competition, while the Blue No. 1 Team, coached by Carl Michaud and Terry Perley, also came in third in Div. II. Each team won two games.

“I am so proud of the Snowdogs’ accomplishments,” said coach Brian Hamel. “We had a great time and the Snowdogs represented themselves very well on and off the court.”

The team departed from Presque Isle on a chartered motor coach on the morning of March 9. The day also featured lunch at Dysart’s Restaurant in Hermon, a trip to the movie theater to watch “Black Panther” on an IMAX screen and a pizza party at the team’s hotel in Westbrook.

After the tourney on March 10, team members enjoyed a dinner at Hometown Buffet at the Maine Mall in South Portland before walking around the mall and then having a pool party at the hotel.

The March 11 trip home included lunch at Happy China in Bangor before returning to Presque Isle mid-afternoon.

Hamel said businesses and individuals all made donations to fund the trip and he was appreciative of all who played a part.