With the calendar about to turn over another year, athletes across the state are preparing for the 2019 Winter Sports Season. Winter Sports consist of the State Winter Games, our basketball season and our cheerleading season.

Basketball

Last year, basketball was by far the most popular team sport in the Special Olympics Kentucky program with nearly 1,300 athletes competing on 116 teams statewide last year.

The season now underway with leagues having started in Lexington and Louisville. There are also invitational tournaments at various locations throughout the state and three Regional Tournaments, through which teams will qualify for the State Basketball Tournament, are upcoming. The State Tournament will be held March 8-10 at MidAmerica Sports Complex in Louisville.

2019 Regional Basketball Tournament  Schedule

ALL rosters for Regional/State Basketball Tournament eligibility are due no later than Jan. 18.
Feb. 9 – Region 1 Basketball Tournament; Bowling  Green
Feb. 16 – Region 2 Basketball Tournament; Florence
Feb. 16 – Region 3 Basketball Tournament; Elizabethtown

Cheerleading

Kentucky has been a pioneer in Special Olympics cheerleading, and Kentucky programs continue to offer cheerleading squads for athletes of all ability levels. This year, at least 15 cheerleading squads are expected to compete in both traditional and Unified division. Squads are forming now and some have already begun practice.

The cheerleading season consists of two Regional Cheerleading Competitions — an East Regional and a West Regional. Teams that compete in either regional qualify for the State Cheerleading Competition.

2019 Cheerleading Schedule

Jan. 26 – East Regional Cheerleading Competition; Richmond (Roster deadline: Passed)
Feb. 9 – West Regional Cheerleading Competition; Louisville (Roster deadline: Jan. 11)
Feb. 23 – State Cheerleading Competition; Louisville (Roster deadline: Feb. 1)

State Winter Games

Nearly 100 athletes are expected to be on hand when the State Winter Games return to Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Ind, Jan. 27-29. The Winter Games annually kick off the programs state championships.

Athletes will compete in snowshoeing and alpine skiing at the Games.

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