The 2024 Special Olympics Tennessee State Basketball Tournament kicked off March 8 at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Both teams played amazingly in the Unified match-up between the Powell Panthers of Knoxville and Harpeth Unified of Cheatham County. Throughout the entire game, the score was back and forth. Both teams had a great crowd cheering them on throughout the game.
At halftime, Powell had a 14-10 lead over Harpeth, but that didn't stop the Unified team out of Cheatham County.
Athlete Emily Zapp has been playing for two years and loves playing.
“I’m just having fun,” said Zapp about playing on the Unified team.
During half-time, both teams were smiling and ready to get the second half underway.
Unified Partner Brookelyn Mangrum stated that it was her first year playing, that she had a lot of fun and that she loves her teammates.
During the third and fourth quarters, the teams exchanged buckets with each team playing phenomenally. Multiple lead changes occurred throughout the fourth quarter as well.
Even though Harpeth won, 28-26, the team stated that the best part was the experience they gained from playing on Friday.
It was only Coach Frank Bryant’s second game on the bench, but he stated that the team was great and they played great in their victory.
