By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

Basketball fans, get ready. For the first time in many years, McKean County Special Olympians will show off their skills at a basketball game to be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday at McDowell Sports Center at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Whether you cheer for team blue or team gold, know that your support means a lot to these athletes.

The community is encouraged to come out to this free event and learn more about the program. Twenty local athletes will be divided into two teams for a head-tohead matchup that is sure to make for an exciting afternoon. The teams have been practicing hard, meeting once a week since Jan. 27 at Grace Lutheran Church to learn new skills from volunteers.

‘We try to keep the program one-to-one so each of our athletes can get the most out of practice,’ said Pat Ryan, Special Olympics team leader.

Roughly 20 volunteers show up each week to support the athletes. Some volunteers come from the Bradford High School varsity girls basketball team, some come from Knights

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Image provided of Columbus and others are simply regular folks.

For the past several years, it has been difficult to get enough volunteers to support the basketball program.

“Jenny Taylor is in charge of our youth basketball program and she is really an organizer and promoter,” said Ryan. “She reached out to people and was essential in getting this going.”

The two teams will include both youth and adult athletes. As they play, they will be cheered on by UPB cheerleaders and members of the program who decided they would rather watch the game.

“Some people just like to come out and learn the skills and they might feel like the competition isn’t for them, said Ryan. “So, as a way to get everyone involved, those people will be cheering from the sidelines with help from the UPB cheerleaders.”

The UPB men’s basketball team will perform a dunk show during halftime.

“They had such an amazing season,” said Ryan. “I know the crowd will enjoy seeing them put on an exhibition of their dunking skills.”

Ryan encourages everyone to come out and support the athletes. Whatever team you cheer for, you are sure to leave with a smile on your face, he noted.

“These athletes have really improved over these last few weeks,” Ryan said, “and they are excited to show off their new skills in front of a crowd.”