The Kosciusko Panthers won a basketball tournament held at Grace College this past weekend. The Panthers are, in front from left to right, Matt Bammel and Amy Philson. In the back row are Antonio Drummond, Erica Mifflin, Gabe Santana, Matt Baker, coach Jamahl Jones, Jacob Green and Chris Cole. (Photos provided)

WINONA LAKE – Special Olympics Kosciusko County hosted a basketball tournament at the Grace College Gordon Student Recreation Center on Saturday, Jan. 9. Kosciusko County had two teams in the tournament competing against athletes from Fulton and Howard counties.

In the tip-off games, the Kosciusko County Panthers beat the Howard County Kats 29-19. Fulton County Dream Team bested the Kosciusko County Jaguars 50-29.

In the championship game, the Kosciusko County Panthers beat the Fulton County Dream Team in a close game 39-33.

In the consolation game, the Howard County Kats defeated the Kosciusko County Jaguars 22-16.

Becky Walls, Special Olympics county coordinator thanked the Howard and Fulton county teams for traveling to play in the tournament and to all the volunteers and fans who helped make this event as success. Also, thanks go to Grace College for allowing Special Olympics to use the Gordon Recreation Center and Scott Moore for onsite assistance.

The Kosciusko County Panthers, Jaguars and skills participants will be competing next at the “Take It To The Hoops” tournament at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana on Saturday, Feb. 6.

The Kosciusko County Jaguars competed in a basketball tournament this past weekend at Grace College. The Jaguars are, from left to right, coach Dave Miller, Tim Hunt, Joe Bradley, Julien Delacruz, Sandy Hunter, Taylor Hobbs, Christina Messer, Tony Thompson and Aaron Hobbs.