Chris Baker, 23, takes a shot during pre-game practice during the Special Olympics basketball tournament at Buhler High School on Sat., Jan. 25, 2025 CREDIT GINA LONG/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE
By Gina Long
Squeaking sneakers and basketballs bouncing filled Buhler High School on Saturday as Special Olympians competed in the annual basketball tournament.
Shirleen Augustine does not know precisely how many years the tournament has run, but she estimates it at over 35. She taught at Buhler schools for 34 years, during which she and her husband Ray began organizing the tournament. In 2020, they moved to Baldwin City to be closer to their daughter, but they have continued the tradition.
She attributes the tournament’s success to its volunteers.
“A lot of people come together,” she said. “Ambucs serves food. They do everything food-related. They buy, cook, and serve [food] at no charge to the athletes, coaches and volunteers.”
Buhler High School basketball players usually help officiate the games, but they participated in a tournament this weekend. Others stepped up, including Gaven Bowers, a 16-year-old Buhler High School junior who participated through the volunteer organization Rise Up Reno. He helped at the check-in table, officiated games, assisted people with finding the correct gym for their matchup, and performed many other tasks.
“I like helping people. This is a great event,” he said.
Seventeen teams representing Hutchinson, McPherson, Nickerson, Buhler, Hutchinson, Harvey County and Wichita show up to compete. Several communities field more than one team. This year, 206 athletes and coaches participated.
Chris Baker, 23, of Reno County, played on the Nickerson team. He said he liked “getting to play and be in the camaraderie of other teams” and looks forward to continuing his team’s rivalry with McPherson in the regional tournament.
The Special Olympics regionals will be held in Haysville on March 1.
For more information about the Special Olympics of Kansas, visit their website.
Carol Petersen / January 27, 2025
Thanks for covering such a great local event!
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