The Marshall County Special Olympics basketball teams were busy the last two weeks preparing for the 1st Region Tournament in Bowling Green scheduled for Feb. 5, but due to weather the tournament has been rescheduled.
Bowling Green has always hosted the tournament but due to schedule conflicts, it will be moved to another location on Feb. 26.
“They reached out to me and we’re able to host it”, Coach Jonny Byrd said. “For the first time in Special Olympics Kentucky basketball history a state tournament qualifying regional tournament will be held at Marshall County High School. We have our Invitational Tournaments here like the one last week on Jan. 29 that included 16 teams, so we’re setup to have a successful regional.”
“I am so appreciative to Coach Johnson for letting us use the gyms”, Byrd said. “It will mean a lot to the teams. You have to qualify in order to go to the State Tournament in Louisville March 11-13.”
Another issue the regionals face is the lack of qualified basketball officials. Bryd said, “We always struggle with referees, they’re so busy with high school and middle school, but by the 26th it’ll be winding down. We have great officials here that do our games year in and year out that volunteer and that is appreciated.”