Basketball Season, Winter Games Look to Return to Pre-Pandemic Structure

After a 2021 season that saw serious limitations on our winter sports schedule, we are planning a return to our normal schedule in 2022. Most affected are the State Winter Games and 2022 basketball season.

Winter Games

After a year as a single-day event, the 2022 State Winter Games return as a two-day event on their traditional schedule the week after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Jan. 24-25, athletes will return to Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Ind., for the 25th time. Athletes will once again compete in snowshoeing and alpine skiing. The skiing competition includes levels ranging from developmental (short glides without turns) to advanced plus, making the sport accessible to anyone interested in competing. Ski partners will again be on hand to teach athletes to ski or to help improve their skills. Practice and time trials will take place on Monday, Jan. 24, followed by the Opening Ceremonies and dance with competition and awards on Tues., Jan. 25.

Basketball

Not surprisingly, basketball is the most popular team sport offering on the Special Olympics Kentucky calendar. Last year, the season was limited to non-contact practices and ended with a Team Skills Competition. This year, we expect to hold a traditional basketball season, which will include leagues in Louisville and Georgetown, a series of local tournaments and regional tournaments that determine teams for the State Basketball Tournament, which is scheduled for March 11-13 at Mid-America Sports Complex in Louisville.

2022 Basketball Schedule
Feb 5 – Region 1 Basketball Tournament, Bowling Green
Feb 19 – Region 2 Basketball Tournament, Florence
Feb 19 – Region 3 Basketball Tournament, Elizabethtown
March 12-13 – State Basketball Tournament, Louisville

Cheerleading

Our State Cheerleading Competition will also return this year. Cheerleading squads from across the state will hit the mat as part of the Cheers for the New Year competition which will be held on Saturday, January 28, at Madison Central High School in Richmond.

For more information about any Special Olympics sports programs, contact Kim Satterwhite at [email protected] or 502-695-8222.