Basketball team brings home gold
<p>Patrick Bolken and Hallie Schelling ride on top of a Whitefish fire truck last week as the Whitefish Thunder celebrate their Special Olympics State Basketball tournament title with a victory parade through downtown.</p>
The Whitefish Thunder adult team went undefeated at a recent Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament en route to bringing home a gold medal.
More than 650 athletes with special needs from across the state competed in the tournament in Great Falls earlier this month. The Thunder practiced for eight weeks at The Wave leading up to the tourney.
“These athletes really came together as a team,” Thunder coach Kent Morrison said.
The Thunder is largely sponsored by the Whitefish Rotary. Morrison’s son, Kyler, collaborated with the Rotary club in 2011 to establish Whitefish’s first Special Olympics adult team.
The team allows adults with special needs to stay active in Special Olympics beyond their school years. Prior to the Thunder the only adult team was in Kalispell, which made it difficult for Whitefish athletes who had to travel back and forth for practices.
“When students with disabilities graduate from high school, they can fall through the cracks,” Morrison said. “They lose an important social and athletic outlet. The Thunder is a fantastic outlet for them.”
It’s great for the parents as well, he said.
“Practice provides a respite for the parents who are sometimes the full-time caretakers for these athletes.”
A couple of school-age athletes joined the Thunder basketball team to help fill the roster at the tourney. Every team member scored at least one basket in their three wins.
Team members include: Kyler Morrison, Patrick Bolken, Arthur Maderia, Emily Colgrove, Amanda Lawerence, Cedar Vance and Hallie Schelling.
Morrison expressed his appreciation for The Wave’s participation and allowing use of their courts.
For those who are interested in participating with the Thunder, contact Morrison at kentmorrison1@yahoo.com.