The Villa Marie Eagles basketball team punched its ticket to the state games at the Special Olympics East Central Regional Basketball 3-on-3 tournament in Grand Island.
The Eagles team is comprised of students from Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children in Waverly.
“Our first game was against Beatrice; we won 24-10,” said Head Coach Matt Jilek. “We played with great heart and discipline.”
“It was nice that every player had at least two buckets in that win,” added Coach Greg Gibney. “The smiles on their faces were just priceless.”
The momentum and confidence from the first game carried the Eagles into the championship matchup against the Lincoln Southeast Knights.
The contest was close, with the victory not secured until the final 30 seconds.
“That game was a battle,” Jilek said. “We matched up very well, and our players never quit. Happily, we escaped with a 30-28 victory.”
Coach Gibney recalled: “We called timeout in the last minute and told the players, ‘great teams will find a way,’ and they did.”
The coaches, players, and supporters are now gearing up for the state basketball games in April, where they will face off against Nebraska’s best Special Olympics teams.
“The squad’s journey is a testament to their hard work and spirit, inspiring the community every step of the way,” said Jilek.
