Bi-County Bulldogs Special Olympics basketball team went from being strangers to family

STERLING – It was a great season for the Bi-County Bulldogs, a first-year Special Olympics basketball team representing the Bi-County Special Education Cooperative, who came home with silver medals from the state championship.

Coach Mandi Roggy’s team won all seven of its regular-season games then won two regional games to qualify for the Illinois Special Olympics state basketball tournament.

The Bulldogs returned from the state tournament in Bloomington-Normal with silver medals. They tied for second place with a 1-1 record in a four-team senior division.

After beating the Chatham Chargers 43-40 in the state tourney, the Bulldogs lost 44-37 to Southern Illinois Ohana. That was their first and only loss of the season.

“It was a fun weekend for us. We spent a lot of time together and really bonded,” Roggy said.

Collin Mealing was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer in both of their state tournament games. He had 18 points versus the Chargers and 16 points against Ohana.

“We did a good job working together,” Mealing said.

Samantha Merriman won the Spirit Award in the game against the Chargers, and Havannah Lee won the Spirit Award in the game versus Ohana. The award, for demonstrating the spirit of Special Olympics, is presented by the referees to a player on each team.

“We had a pretty good team and lots of fun,” Lee said.

Besides basketball, the weekend for the Bulldogs included an opening ceremony, dances, laser tag, a team dinner at Cracker Barrel, and Merriman being interviewed by a local television station.

Roggy, a special education paraprofessional at Morrison High School, has been coaching Bi-County athletes in basketball skills, track and bowling for eight years.

She formed the basketball team so she could provide new experiences for Bi-County athletes. There were no tryouts. Everyone who wanted to be on the team made the team.

Nine players – males and females – from seven school districts were on the team. The players ranged in age from 13 to 26. While all the wins and awards were nice, Bulldogs players and coaches pointed to other reasons why the season was such a success in their eyes.

“We came together as strangers and ended the season as a family that worked hard together,” assistant coach Kristen Hoagland said.

What did the athletes think of the season? They all agreed that they had fun and loved playing with their teammates.

“We grew as a team, became a little family and achieved a lot,” Merriman said.

“My favorite part was helping my teammates and the other teams,” Kaleb Schipper said.

J’Marion Hill, Damian Hughes, Brenden Hoagland, Angelo Heald, Samantha Zimmermann and Emily Hoffman rounded out the Bulldogs’ roster.

Assistant coach Teri Holldorf said that from day one, the athletes played as a team.

“They played hard, supported each other and displayed great sportsmanship,” Holldorf said. “I’m so proud of them.”

Roggy recruited her fiancé Jess Hurley to be an assistant coach, and he said he’s glad she did.

“I want to thank Mandi for introducing me to coaching a Special Olympics team,” he said. “Our athletes were absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed working with them individually and as a team.

“They did their best in practice and games. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor than Mandi and a better group of athletes.”

Emily Roggy and Kolten Sage also were assistant coaches. Emily Roggy, 16, the coach’s daughter, is a junior at Morrison High School.

The Bi-County Special Education Cooperative was formed in 1969. It provides special education services to 11 member school districts. Regional offices of education in Sterling and Freeport also are members.