On Sunday March 8th the Rockland Special Olympics Clarkstown Basketball team competed at Marist University Aquatic & Basketball Tournament hosted by the Special Olympics of New York. 9 athletes competed from the Clarkstown team and ended up in Division 2 comprised of 3 teams. There were 12 teams from the Hudson Valley & throughout NY state competing.
Clarkstown defeated a team from Westchester County in the preliminary round 31-7. In the final game Clarkstown defeated a team from Orange County 33-14 and were the gold medalists
Teamsters who excelled were Andrew F who dominated with several 3 pointers and Mike E who dominated the boards with double digit rebounds and his defense.
Thank you to all the parents who cheered on the athletes and kudos to Coach Al and Coach Bob for a great performance.
The Clarkstown Vikings SO Basketball Team was one of team competing in Basketball.
Clarkstown’s won its game in the pairing round against the Anderson Blue Knights by a score of 10-6 sending them to Division 2 for the Medal Round along with The
Thunderbolts, & New Hope. The Clarkstown Vikings defeated New Hope in the first game of the medal round by a score of 33-7. Scoring was low in the beginning of the game & defense was tough on both sides. Clarkstown started to pull away offensively as the game progressed & kept up their tough defense. New Hope was able to show a few brief flashes, but it was not enough to make a comeback. Scoring for The Clarkstown Vikings: Gordon-4, Mike E-6, Tommy F-4, Andrew-9, Tommy N -8, John G -2.
The Thunderbolts defeated New Hope in the second game of the medal round setting up a meeting with the Vikings in the Division 2 Final. The Thunderbolts started off hot & took a quick lead building a 10-point lead. The Clarkstown Vikings fought back with 9 points by the end of the 1st quarter. In the second quarter both team’s played strong defense and neither team was able to score. The Score at halftime remained 10-9 in favor of the Thunderbolts. The Clarkstown Vikings offense came alive in the 3rd quarter led the Tommy F. & Tommy N. with help from Gordon, Mike E., & Andrew. The Vikings defense remained strong with Jonathon, Nicky, Aaron, & John G. Helping to stifle the Thunderbolts’ offense & shutting them out in the 3rd quarter protecting the Clarkstown lead at 23-10. When the 4th quarter began the Thunderbolts weren’t able determined & were able to make a couple of baskets but the Vikings were able to answer with baskets of their own & further increase their lead. As the game progressed towards the last 2 minutes of the game Clarkstown concentrated on defense & slowing down the game to bring home the victory. Clarkstown Vikings 31 – Thunderbolts 14.
The Clarkstown Vikings win the 2026 HVSO Division 2 Regional Basketball Gold Medal.
Scoring For Clarkstown Vikings in the Final: Gordon-4, Mike E-4, Tommy F-6, Andrew-9, Tommy N-8
Our local Rockland Special Olympics Basketball League opens up on Wednesday March 18th at 6pm at the Village of West Haverstraw Village Hall gym.
-Coach Klein