Columbiana County Comets’ Fred Beshara tries to steal the ball from Candice Welsh of the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities during the annual basketball game Wednesday. (Submitted photo)
LISBON — The Columbiana County Comets Special Olympics basketball team always plays its best at the end of the season.
The Comets prevailed 47-29 in the annual game against the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) staff on Wednesday night at Nace Gymnasium.
The Comets were paced by Matthew Ferguson with 12 points, followed by Lucas Rhodes with 10 and Bryan Weingart with eight. Keegan Todd, William Davis, Jamie Gordon, Hannah Price, Bradley Donatella, Tommy Baun and Eric Crews also helped the Comets secure the victory.
The Comets are coached by Ivan Monroy. Former coach Rich Dennison served as the guest official for both contests.
The CCBDD team was led by Michael Newman, an individual served by CCBDD who also serves on the board of directors, with a game-high 15 points.
In the junior varsity game, the Comets also won 36-4. Phil Stewart led the Comets with eight points. Ray DeWalt and Cody Jackson added six points apiece and Joey Niswonger added four. Freddy Beshara, Destiny Reynolds, Antonio Maxwell, Kiersten Estes, Zack Adkins, Jada McCoy and CJ Adams also aided the winning effort.
Youngstown State mascot “Pete the Penguin” made a special appearance at the event along with two YSU cheerleaders.
The basketball game is the highlight event for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is celebrated by the agency every March.
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