Coach Emma Dominelli quickly achieved success this season with the Lyons Township Special Olympics basketball team.
“My No. 1 goal always is for the athletes to have a good time, have fun. And if we win, amazing,” Dominelli said.
The players had so much enjoyment that they worked to achieve more.
The ultimate result was the Lions’ third state championship. It came when the team defeated the Eagles of District 218 57-29 at Illinois State University March 15.
Team members were Andrew De La O, Tyler Deck, Julian Jasso, Conor Mulcahy, Iqui Nogueda-Nunez, Dillon Pusatera, Josiah Santana, Ryan Schwartz and Tommy Van Eekeren. Other coaches were Haley Brancheau, Brian Klimes, and Katie Schuetz.
“(The championship) was just such a good game. Really, truly our defense won us that game,” Dominelli said.
“The players were amazing. They had the best form they’ve ever had, hitting every shot. We got some momentum on offense. We were always ahead.”
Dominelli, in her ninth season as coach, took a fourth LTHS team to state. The players went beyond the two practices a week they get on the LTHS basketball court to add to the state championship runs of 1995 and 2005.
“It’s been a long time. I was aware (the last title was 2005), but the goal for us is never the need to win,” Dominelli said.
“They practiced outside (of school) and got together on the weekends with parental help. I can’t say that has happened before in my nine years. They became a really tight group outside of basketball and I think that played a huge role.”
There are 10 divisions in Special Olympics in the state. Teams are assigned based on their performance level during the regular season.
Teams then must win districts to qualify for state in their division. The Lions advanced with a 52-46 overtime victory over Leyden. In their state opener, the Lions defeated Maine South in the semifinals.
For the season, the Lions finished with a 10-2 record, losing twice by one point. They took pride in a zone defense that could adjust to neutralize opponents’ leading scorers. Deck usually was the leading scorer.
“(Deck is) a very good ball handler but they all played a huge role in the win. Just a great thing to see,” Dominelli said.
“It was really a team effort. That’s what was so special in winning it. Every single person played a role, and different roles. One might be the top scorer but got rebounds at a critical moment. It was a really good season.”