Sharing the Good—ASN Fort Smith Basketball Team Strikes Gold
We are always proud of our ASN athletes and today is no different. We are thrilled to share with you that our ASN Fort Smith basketball team took home the gold at the Arkansas State Special Olympics basketball tournament in Russellville last weekend! Although this was their first year to have a team, they didn’t let inexperience stand in their way. Coaches Terri Pegue, Rayon Barns, and Marlong Thomas, led the team in practice every Wednesday for six weeks to prepare for the long road ahead. In order to qualify for the Arkansas State Special Olympics they would have to beat out 50 teams in the Woodland Area Tournament, which they accomplished with ease. However, taking home the gold would prove to be no easy feat. ASN Fort Smith lost their very first game of the tournament on Friday night, forcing them to battle their way through the loser’s bracket in order to play in the championship game. They fought their way back, winning game after game until at last, they reached the championship and took home the gold. Their practice and hard work paid off with the ultimate reward. When Coach Pegue was asked what advice or encouragement her team would like to share with others, she replied, “Sports are for everybody and if you enjoy doing something stick to it and don’t give up!”