by Maria Avalos
Times Staff ReporterSaturday,January 24, MPS Basketball Classicand Milwaukee Recreationhosted the 18th Annual Milwaukee Public Schools Special Olympics Basketball Classic Tournamentat South Division High School.

Forty-five teams from Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Washington counties competed in this event.

This is the first tournament of the Special Olympics basketball season and Milwaukee’s largest Special Olympics tournament of the year.

MATC was there to help, represented by our volleyball team and its head coach Melissa Blessington,who said “I have a friend who works with Special Olympics on a regular basis and I asked her about becoming involved and working an event.”

She adds, “First, I have been looking for a service project for a few years to do, but this year, our athletic and assistant athletic director decided that it was something that every team should do.

And I really wanted to be involved in the Special Olympics because I know it is an organization that always needs volunteers, and I know that the events are really fun and also very organized.”

Blessington goes on to say,”I really wanted to have my girls help with an event that had to do with team sports, because I think that you can always learn from others no matter what their skill level.”

One could tell that the players who played in these games had a love not just for playing basketball, but also for being on the team. When someone on the team scores, the whole team cheers.

It was heartwarming to see them play with such enthusiasm and joy. The players also demonstrated great sportsmanship. If someone on the other team falls, they’re right there to help them up.

“These games will allow athletes to qualify for the Special Olympics District Tournament in March,” says MPS Assistant Recreation Supervisor, Jodie Theis. “We’re ready for another great season.