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Moline’s first Special Olympics basketball team headed to state

Moline High School’s Special Olympics basketball team is wrapping up its first season with a trip to the state competition.

Moline High School's Special Olympics basketball team is wrapping up its first season with a trip to the state competition.

The team's six seniors and one junior will travel to Bloomington, Illinois, to compete at Illinois State University on March 13-15, 2015, after winning a gold medal at the District Tournament in January.

This has been some students' first experience playing on a team.

"The kids have grown so much just being part of a team and helping each other out. They know that it's not just one person that makes the team. The whole team works together so well. It's really inspiring to be their coach," said Jerilyn Hocker.

Currently, Moline is the only high school in the Illinois Quad Cities with a Special Olympics basketball team, so the group typically travels to Monmouth and Canton to compete.

Players say the best part of the season, though, has simply been spending time with their teammates.

"It just feels good," said senior Javier Acosta. "And I have the best players on my team."

"They're fun, and they're good friends," added senior Jared Sountris.

Moline student athletes also compete in several other Special Olympics events, including skiing, bowling, and track and field.

Basketball team members include Javier Acosta, Logan Frazelle, Weston Lavino, Nathaniel Littrell, Clayton McPherson, Tim Millard and Jared Sountris.

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