Love and basketball: Hays family reflects on Special Olympics (VIDEO)

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
\

Wearing bright yellow sweatbands on his head and wrists, Trey Blackmon was easy to spot at the 2014 Special Olympics Kansas basketball tournament Saturday — sweatbands his older sister said he had not taken off since the night before.

“It’s nice to see him this happy,” said 20-year-old Johnae Blackmon.

Trey, a sophomore at Hays High School, was one of hundreds of participants at this weekend’s Special Olympics Kansas basketball and cheerleading tournament.

Events were held Hays Recreation Commission and Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Trey Blackmon celebrates win with hug from mom and sister

For the last five years, Johnae has accompanied her mother, Sharon Tallman, and brothers Isaiah Blackmon, 15, and Dante Blackmon, 14, to support Trey when he competes in the Special Olympics. This year, he competed in basketball with teammates from Hays High.

Like so many other families, friends and community members who attended the games, the Special Olympics provide what can sometimes be a “rare opportunity” to cheer on children with disabilities in sporting events.

“(The Special Olympics) is very important to us. This is one time we can focus on Trey,” Tallman said. “All my other kids are in a lot of different activities and get a lot of attention for things, and this is really the only (sporting event) he gets so it’s really exciting and fun for him.”

His siblings agreed.

“We come here every year to support him,” said Johnae, as her brothers nodded. “It is just nice seeing him being able to be a part of something since he doesn’t get the chance to do the sports at school.”

What does Trey like best about competing in the Special Olympics?

Hays High School Indians Special Olympics team — Hays High School Indians 2014 Special Olympics team

“Love and basketball,” he said. “I love basketball, and and my dad loves basketball, and I love him. I will make him proud someday.”

Johnae said Trey’s father lives in Wisconsin and was not able to attend the games, but “he talks to Trey almost every day” and is supportive.

Trey’s team, the HHS Indians, took first place Saturday in the basketball tournament.

Eagle Community Television broadcast opening ceremonies for this year’s Special Olympics live from Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum on Thursday.

The ceremonies will be rebroadcast on ECTV Ch. 14 at 4 p.m. from Monday through Friday.