BC Special Olympic Basketball plays in Beaver Dam

Action from the Butler County Special Olympics basketball game shows athletes competing with enthusiasm and teamwork before a packed gymnasium of supporters.   PHOTO | Greg Moore

By Greg Moore

Banner Sports Editor

Several Butler County athletes are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate on a team now that one local parent has helped originate and organize a new beginning for those with intellectual disabilities. Pam Phelps, who spends most her time caring for our community as a nurse practitioner for Dr. Hammad, who does so much for BC Schools and athletics, spearheaded the initiative for her own son and others.

Phelps told WBKO, “We had students, like you said, that traveled to Bowling Green to swim or to bowl, but we never tried to develop our own program where we can go and play other counties as a Butler County team, or host games. So, it’s brand new to us.” Her nephew, Garrett Phelps, and Brody Hunt, both BCHS graduates and athletes, have stepped up to coach these remarkable athletes.

Most recently, many fans packed the gymnasium at Beaver Dam Elementary for the team to play a game with Ohio County’s Special Olympic basketball team. From the start, Evan Martin was on fire, hitting a three-pointer and scoring a couple layups to give the Bears the edge, 7-0.

Butler County athletes take the court during a recent Special Olympics basketball game at Beaver Dam Elementary, marking an important step forward for inclusive sports in the community. PHOTO | Greg Moore

A more experienced squad, with a sharp-shooting guard, Ohio County battled back. The Eagles outscored the Bears 6-5 in the second quarter to trail by only four points, 12-8. And, after the break, their guard started taking a few more shots to give them the advantage.

Alex Phelps, who listened to his coaches on positioning for an offensive rebound, hit two free throws to bring the game within a possession, 19-16. The moment he looked in the stands after the first made attempt, could have turned the devil’s hardened heart clean as a lamb’s.

Coach Phelps used his timeouts wisely and the Bears were only behind by a point with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, 21-20. The Eagles would score, but Alex Daugherty made a great assist to Martin, who kept it within one with the score.

The Eagles would get a rebound put back by a seasoned vet, but Coach Phelps knew Martin could tie the game with another three-pointer from the wing, right in front of the Bears’ bench. Unfortunately, it did not play out like Phelps explained it but everybody still left with a smile ear-to-ear.

Sports is not about winning by the scoreboard. It is about succeeding in life and feeling connected to something, a team. As members of our community continue to come together to support one another in positive ways such as this, it makes people proud to say they are from Butler County. Many thanks go out to the players, coaches, parents, fans, and other supporters for this historical moment in sports.