On Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, Special Olympics Illinois athletes, Unified Partners, and coaches from across the state will gather at the March Madness Experience in the exhibit halls of the Peoria Civic Center as a part of the 2020 IHSA Unified State Basketball Tournament.
To compete in the tournament, athletes must have trained for at least eight weeks. Senior/male and High School teams qualified through one of four district tournaments in the state. All teams will play at least two games and the tournament will be played according to IHSA rules.
The public is welcome to attend this tournament. Tickets are $2.00 or free with a ticket to the IHSA Class 3A/4A games.
Game schedules for the weekend are as follows:
FRIDAY MARCH 13
Division II
1:00 PM: Lindblom vs. North Boone (Court 1)
1:10 PM: Stevenson vs. Pontiac (Court 2)
Division I
2:30 PM: Andrew vs. Vernon Hills (Court 1)
2:40 PM: Limestone vs. Plano (Court 2)
SATURDAY MARCH 14
Division II
11:00 AM: Championship (Court 2)
11:10 AM: 3rd Place (Court 1)
Division I
11:00 AM: Championship (Court 2)
11:10 AM: 3rd Place (Court 1)
Special Olympics Unified Sports combine athletes – with and without intellectual disabilities – as teammates to showcase the power of Special Olympics’ Unified Sports®, which helps unite communities and foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion.
More than a million people worldwide take part in Special Olympics Unified Sports® competitions, helping to break down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities. ESPN is the global presenting sponsor and official media sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports®.
The Unified Basketball State Tournament builds on the IHSA and Special Olympics Illinois’ joint unified programs, which also include Unified Bass Fishing. The IHSA also has divisions for Athletes With Disabilities within its State Series’ for bowling, swimming and track & field.