Eight middle school basketball players making up Treasure Village Montessori’s junior team wore their gold medals around school following their first-place finish at the Florida Special Olympics in Tavares on Feb. 25.
For TVM principal and coach Kelly Mangel, the moment was memorable for the Sea Dragons team composed of four athletes with disabilities and four partners who work with them on the court. It was the first time in Monroe County’s history that a basketball team competed at the Special Olympics. And it was the first time a county basketball team came back champions.
The Sea Dragons won the first game, 32-29, on Feb. 24 and followed up with a 28-22 victory in the second game on Feb. 25 to take the championship.
“For me, the best moment was watching the partners work together to ensure each athlete had a shot,” Mangel said. “There are three athletes and two partners on the court at a time. The partners were boxing out so the athletes could keep shooting. It was neat to see.”
Before heading off to competition, the team was showered with cheers and chants from Treasure Village Montessori students and staff on Feb. 23. Following a round of high-fives with fellow students, the team hopped on a bus for an eight-hour drive. Mangel drove the team to competition.
Mangel said the basketball team were excited when they arrived at The Big House, the large NBA-like venue with nine hardwood courts. But there were questions from her team over the competition and uncertainty if they’d even have a chance to win.
“They were a little intimidated by the size of the other players. But they had pride and resiliency,” Mangel said. “We were the small and mighty team.
“The partners were compassionate and patient with the athletes,” Mangel continued. “When the team won, they all jumped up and down and screamed. It was amazing.”
Mangel said she always had a passion for the Special Olympics and working with students with special needs. Before she was a principal, she helped teach students with special needs.
At TVM, Mangel said they don’t have a self-contained classroom for the special needs students. They interact and bond with the rest of the student body throughout the school day.
“It really helps increase awareness and acceptability within the daily lives of students on campus. It’s important,” Mangel said.
TVM isn’t new to the Special Olympics. Three years ago, the school started a unified track team and won district competition. The COVID pandemic prevented them from competing at states. TVM also has a unified bocce team that’s set to play on Big Pine Key this weekend. The track team will compete in Collier County in April.
TVM’s championship basketball team included Reef Bennett, Ian Ward, Gordon Gomila, Anthony Riesgo, John Oughton, Dominik Jimenez, Alexandria Burson and Liam Bursa.
“We really didn’t know what to expect, but they pulled through and made us all proud,” Mangel said.
