Hopewell celebrates first celebrity basketball game
Proving that March madness isn’t just for the NBA this year, the Hopewell Indians Coshocton County Special Olympics basketball team bested a group of locals in the first celebrity basketball game on March 21 at Ridgewood Middle School.
In true Special Olympics style, the enthusiasm for the game and the teams was contagious, as the announcer called each player to the court. Team members from both sides were clapping, offering high -fives, hugging, and engaging in some light-hearted teasing. The Hopewell Indians Cheerleaders offered encouragement from the sidelines. Family, friends, and other spectators cheered for members of both teams.
Jalen Berry performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” prior to tip-off. Both teams, outfitted in their respective jerseys, ran the court, with the celebrities scoring the first two points of the games. The Hopewell Indians quickly recovered and ultimately, took home the joyful win.
Local celebrity players from a wide range of groups, organizations, and businesses joined this year’s event to show their support of these Special Olympian athletes. Celebrity players included Troy Bricker (Coshocton County Sheriff 911 Sergeant), Isaac Bush (Executive Director of Kids America), Sean Collins (Coshocton City School’s Teacher and Head Varsity Wrestling Coach), Matt Croy (WKLM Radio), Kevin Davis (Ridgewood Seventh Grade Basketball Coach), Rusty Dreher (Coshocton Fire Chief), Jose Hernandez (Ridgewood School Resource Officer), Collin Ladrach (Ridgewood Basketball Player), Morgan Landis (Coshocton County Deputy Sheriff), Jamie McCrea (Ridgewood High School Intervention Specialist and Girls Track Coach), Tyler McCullough (Ridgewood Middle School Intervention Specialist and & JV Boys Basketball Coach), Mark Mills (Mayor City of Coshocton), Javanna Ramsey (Hopewell Indians Asst. Coach and Coshocton Elks), Devin Rivera (Hopewell Indians Basketball Asst. Coach, Century 21 Real Estate Agent), Todd Shroyer (Coshocton County EMS Director), Caleb Tingle (Hopewell School Intermediate Classroom Teacher), and Chris Wallace (WTNS Radio).
Coordinator Toby Collins announced this as the inaugural event, with hopes to host the event annually. Anyone interested in learning more about ways to support Special Olympics in Coshocton County are encouraged to reach out to Collins at 740-575-4809 or email tcollins@coshdd.org.
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