State basketball is the big story around Ohio this weekend, and one team from Allen County is looking to bring home their second state title in three years.
Friday afternoon was the big sendoff for the Allen County Sharks Special Olympics basketball team. All twelve members of the Sharks loaded the bus at 3 p.m. to head down to the Buckeye capital. Six of this year's Sharks were on the state title team from 2016, while the other six have been rotated in to compete for their very first state championship. The Sharks were accompanied by a police escort, as they said their goodbyes to their friends and families before leaving for the big challenge this weekend.
"This is a great team, as a family, as a unit, as you know being in this competition, and I see it like this like you know, we're not only playing for us, we're playing for Allen County, for everybody here," said Anthony Chambers, 2nd time competing for state title.
"I hope everybody be cheering for us on when we go down there and bring the state home, I hope we can bring the state home, I know we can bring the state home, and I believe it and I believe in the man upstairs, all we have to do is believe in God and let God do the rest," said Everett Ward, also known as "Chocolate Thunder".
The Sharks moved up from Division III to Division II after winning state in 2016. This is their first year competing for a state title in Division II. The public is invited to their welcome home party tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the YMCA at 136 S. West Street.
