Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading held at CCHS

Bill Hicks looks up in anticipation to see if his shot sinks in the basket at Friday’s Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading event held at CCHS.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- You could feel the happiness and excitement in the air at Friday’s Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading event held at Campbell County High School’s gymnasium.

The event pulled together three counties, a multitude of schools and Campbell County’s local community.

CCHS Lady Cougar Shakira Goins takes a moment to have her photo snapped with Special Olympian Paul Boyer at Friday’s event at CCHS.

The smiles were contagious as children and adults from all across the region enjoyed games, music and athletic fellowship. The youngest Special Olympic athlete was only three years old, while the oldest athlete was over 72.

Special Olympian Clay Crapsey and Campbell High student Timothy Humphreys.

The littlest Special Olympians had their fun in bounce houses over at the JRTOC building, while the older kids and adults competed at Brown Gym.

Campbell County High School student athletes, cheerleaders and community volunteers seemed to have just as much fun as the Special Olympians

The mood and smiles were contagious at Friday’s Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading event held at Campbell County High School.

“It’s been a blast and so much fun,” said Lady Cougar Shakira Goins.

According to event organizer Brandon Johnson, Friday was “going to go down as one of Special Olympics best events yet.”

From little to big, Friday was all about the Special Olympians at Campbell County High School, which hosted the second annual Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading event. Chief Deputy Chapman with the Sheriff’s Department lends a hand.

This is the second annual event of this type and according to Johnson, there were over 110 athletes signed up to participate from three different counties.

“The event went amazing, we’ve had huge support from our local school system, the board of education, director of schools, Campbell County High School and the athletic teams,” Johnson said.

Campbell County High School Principal Ben Foust said it was “amazing” to host the event at CCHS.

CCHS Principal Ben Foust (left) and Campbell County Special Olympics organizer Brandon Johnson enjoyed Friday’s event as much as the athletes.

“We love to host something like this. It’s amazing to just watch the kids smile and watch the community come in and celebrate all of these kids from our county and these other counties. We feel blessed to host it and we hope to do it again,” Foust said.

Special Olympian Bill Hicks and CCHS Cheerleader Eden Reese compare their muscles at Friday’s Special Olympics event at CCHS. The event pulled together three counties, a multitude of schools and Campbell County’s local community.

Johnson, who spearheaded bringing the Special Olympics back to Campbell County several years ago, said that Special Olympics in Campbell County was growing and getting better every event.

“This is going down as one of our best events yet and we’re already excited for the next one,” Johnson said.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/17/2025-6AM)

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