Hillsboro High School and Middle School hosted a nail-biting Special Olympics basketball game between the Highland County Wildcats and Ross Public Schools Rebels Wednesday at the Hillsboro Indians’ gym.
The Wildcats defeated the Rebels 24-23 in overtime in front of a packed gymnasium of Hillsboro students and fans. According to Kraig Walker, Hillsboro High School dismissed students from the last two periods of the day to attend the game.
Before the teams took to the court, the Hillsboro pep band led the crowd in the National Anthem.
Coach Nathan Boatman of the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities was excited to see the enthusiasm from the Hillsboro School Board, the administration, teachers, staff and students.
Both teams displayed excellent sportsmanship and gave the crowd an exciting performance as the score remained close most of the game. The Hillsboro High School cheerleaders, who helped teach the Wildcat cheerleaders, also hit the floor during halftime to cheer with the Wildcats.
The leading scorer for the Wildcats was Isaiah Adams with 10 points, followed by Malik Rutledge with 8 and Jordan Humphrey with 6 in the victory against the Rebels.
The Highland County Special Olympics Committee wishes to thank Hillsboro High School Principle Jason Snively for coordinating the event, as well as all the fans for their support.
The Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities has videos of the game posted on their Facebook page.
The community is invited to come and watch the Wildcats take on the Highland County Sheriff’s Department Friday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at the Highland County YMCA gym. The game is part of the March Developmental Disability Awareness Month at the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities. There is no charge for admission. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear blue in support of the Wildcats.
For more information, contact the Community First Division at the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities at 937-393-4237 or go to www.highdd.org.
