BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT)\u2014 A Brunswick County Special Olympics basketball team is preparing for the Special Olympics USA Games this summer after earning their spot in the national competition.<\/p>\n
The team will compete in 5-on-5 basketball games at the tournament, which begins in June in Minnesota.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never thought I would be able to do something like this,\u201d said Fonz Hyman, a Special Olympics athlete and team captain. \u201cFrom the moment I found out that I was chosen, it just…I was like, am I dreaming or something?\u201d<\/p>\n
Training focuses on fundamentals<\/p>\n
Hyman and his teammates are spending the next few months working on their skills with coach Sean O\u2019Donnell.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen a lot of steady improvement,\u201d O\u2019Donnell said. \u201cYou know, from the idea of chest pass, to bounce pass, to overhead pass, to being able to dribble a ball up and down the court with control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hyman said the team is focusing on ball control and avoiding violations.<\/p>\n
\u201cGotta work on, like, ball control,\u201d he said. \u201cGotta make sure you\u2019re not, like, double dribbling or traveling. The refs are gonna be out there watching.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team captain emphasizes unity<\/p>\n
As team captain, Hyman focuses on team unity.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll we need to do is focus, keep our eyes on the ball, and know that that basketball net, that net right there, that\u2019s our friend,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Donnell said the experience represents more than basketball for the athletes.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor some of them, it\u2019s an opportunity of a lifetime,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019ll be getting to do a lot of firsts and interfacing with a lot of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hyman said he is ready for the challenge of competing in front of a large crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I\u2019ve never played in front of a big crowd before, but here\u2019s my chance to show everyone what I\u2019m capable of,\u201d he said. \u201cTo show my team. Be a team leader.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Donnell said coaching the team has been rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure and it\u2019s actually a privilege to do this,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I really do enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hyman expressed confidence about the team\u2019s chances at the national competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to be ready to take them on,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be ready to take them on and bring gold back to North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Brunswick County Special Olympics athletes are raising funds for their trip to Minnesota. Baskets will be raffled at the Brunswick County Polar Plunge on Feb. 21 in Oak Island. <\/p>\n