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  • Members of the Mt. Vernon Township High School Special Olympics basketball team show off their second-place medals Monday afternoon. The team, coached by Megan Clodi and Kevin Braddy, took second-place honors Saturday at the state basketball tournament in Bloomington. Pictured are, front row, from left: Rachal Kidd, Donyale Black and Aaron Rudolph; back row, from left: Ivan Nason, Tony Wood, Shakur Sadiq, Michael McCluskey and Jacob Gass. KANDACE MCCOY/REGISTER-NEWS

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March 15, 2010

MV Special Olympians win 2nd at state basketball tournament

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — In the midst of March Madness, the Mt. Vernon Township High School Special Olympics basketball team has brought home second-place honors after competing in the state tournament at Bloomington.

This was the inaugural year for the MVTHS team, which advanced to state tournament play last month after winning the district-level competition.

“This was a three-team division round-robin tournament, so everyone played each other,” explained MVTHS special education teacher Megan Clodi, who coached the team along with Kevin Braddy. “We beat the Rushville Rockets on Friday and won in overtime, and on Saturday we knew we were playing for first place.”

After Friday’s 56-47 win, MVTHS tipped off Saturday against the experienced Northside Huskies, Clodi said.

“You could tell that team had played together for a while, and they were very athletic,” she said. “Our kids played and fought hard.”

“It was hard playing there because we practiced a lot and worked hard to get to state,” said senior Jacob Gass. “We did our best — the other team was quicker and hit their shots.”

MVTHS would lose the match against Northside, 47-41, taking second-place at the tournament.

“We had great support from the school community and the community at large,” Clodi said. “When we got home Saturday night, the athletes were escorted through town by the police department and they really appreciate that. One of my athletes told me as we were coming in, ‘Ms. Clodi, this is a happy ending. Mt. Vernon is our school and they love us.’”

Freshman Aaron Rudolph said playing at Bloomington was different than what he expected.

“I was scared a little bit at first,” he said. “But I’m proud of our team for making it that far.”

Rudolph and Michael McCluskey each were given Spirit of the Game ribbons for their sportsmanship play.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth in all the athletes just in confidence-building,” Clodi added. “From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, their confidence has grown and has carried over into the classroom. That’s a skill that can’t just be built in the classroom, so we needed this team to provide that.”

The team also received help from MVTHS coaches and the school. Boys Rams coach Scott Gamber and girls coach Jeff Lonnon worked with the team at practices and helped to provide uniforms to the players.

“The student council has also helped with a fundraiser so the team can get new uniforms next year and Hi Tri made signs for the parents and fans to hold at the games over the weekend,” Clodi said. “Mr. [Ron] Daniels has also been very supportive and came up to watch Friday’s game.”

And though the team took second place, members say they still accomplished their goal.

“We actually did pretty good,” said sophomore Tony Wood. “Second place isn’t that bad because at least we got to state — and that was one of our goals to try to win.”

“I’m most definitely looking forward to next year,” said Rachal Kidd.

“We’ll try to get first next year,” Wood said. “And if we don’t, it’s OK. We’re having fun.”

“Win or lose, we’re having fun no matter what,” said Gass.

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