Tillsonburg team wins silver in Special Olympics basketball

Tillsonburg’s Special Olympics D team defeated Woodstock to open the Tillsonburg tournament, and kept winning until the team lost a close game in the final. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The hometown team in the D Division took the silver medals when Special Olympics Tillsonburg hosted its annual tournament on the weekend.

The D Division were first on the scoreboard in the opening game against Woodstock, scoring the first basket and never looking back. Tillsonburg ended with a 28-8 win. The home team then won tighter games against Windsor-LaSalle 22-17, and Kitchener 20-18. Tillsonburg faced Windsor-LaSalle again in the gold medal game and lost a close 23-18 game.

“Their hard work and dedication in the practice gym showed itself as they both competed till the last buzzer,” said head coach Matt Bowers. “Our D-rec team lost the bronze medal game in overtime, and our D team fell short, but just a few points in the gold medal game to secure the silver medal. I am so proud of every one of my players and all the hard work they put in to the game of basketball. I am truly blessed to say I am their coach.”

The D-Rec team opened with 1 16-12 loss to Woodstock, despite several chances in the last two minutes that the team just couldn’t connect on. The team fell 18-12 to Windsor-LaSalle, and 30-8 to Kitchener. Meeting LaSalle in the bronze medal playoff, the game went to overtime, where Tillsonburg fell 18-14.

Bowers had praise for the many volunteers that brought the tournament together.

“The event was amazing due to our great volunteers and generous sponsors who truly make this event what it is,” he said. “I had numerous other coaches tell me how much they enjoyed it as well.”