Special Olympics Kentucky hosts annual state basketball tournament in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- March Madness started early in Kentucky this weekend.

Special Olympics Kentucky hosted the 2025 State Basketball Tournament and Team Skills Competition at MidAmerica Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday. More than 600 athletes competed in the tournament.

"Everybody knows how important basketball is in the state of Kentucky, and that's no different for Special Olympics athletes," said Mark Buerger, Special Olympics Kentucky communications director. "This is the culmination of a three-month season that we run starting in December with practices, February we have regional tournaments and teams qualify for this weekend and it's a big deal for everybody that's here."

There were 36 teams competing in the state tournament between nine divisions and 14 teams were from the Louisville area. Teams from Murray, northern Kentucky, Lexington and even as far as Trigg County competed in the tournament.

This season, nearly 1,3000 athletes competed on 116 teams in Kentucky. That's a new record.

"I think our youngest athlete this weekend is 10 years old," Buerger said. "We have athletes well into their 50s here this weekend. So as long as someone wants to participate in Special Olympics and can, there is a place for them in our program."

To learn more about Special Olympics Kentucky, click here.

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