March 5, 2026
Members of the state champion Union County Cougars basketball team are, from left to right, in the front row, Austin Cunningham, Chase Gibson, Cayden Larriuz, Andrew Wright, Landon Hoover and Quinton Bodine; and in the back row, coach Zach Noland, DJ Litzke, Corey Ford, Ivan Green, manager James Oakley, Leo Wright and coach Eric Bodine. (Photo submitted)
Union County Special Olympics basketball team wins state title
From Gazette staff reports
Union County’s Special Olympics athletes delivered a memorable performance at the State Indoor Winter Games held at The Ohio State University.
The efforts against teams from across Ohio were highlighted by standout finishes in swimming and a historic basketball championship.
On the basketball court, the Union County Cougars made program history by winning their first state title.
After opening competition on Feb. 21 with a 37–24 victory over Coshocton County, the Cougars faced the Sharks from Williams County in the gold medal game on Feb. 22 at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC).
The game was a tightly contest…
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