Helen Keller School of Alabama (HKS) is celebrating its recent victory in Montgomery at the State Special Olympics where it became the state champion in basketball. 

The HKS Eagles Basketball team was sent off in style. Local police officers, firefighters, and other city officials escorted them through Talladega and passed by the HKS campus so their biggest fans could cheer them on to victory! 

The 2-day tournament consisted of 20 teams competing in 5 divisions. HKS competed against teams from across the state including North Talladega ARC, Dothan, and Decatur. 

The HKS Eagles played a total of 3 games. In the championship game, they competed against Decatur and won 31 to 18! 

“Watching the team’s hard work and love of the game has been amazing,” said Lara Hurst, HKS Teacher and Basketball Coach. “I am so glad that they were able to experience such an amazing event. We would like to thank HKS students, staff, and administration as well as Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, The North Talladega ARC, and the city of Talladega police and fire departments for the amazing send-off to Montgomery. We would also like to thank the HKS administration, staff, cheerleaders and students for their amazing support throughout the entire season. They have made this season truly memorable.” 

The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.