Team Italy is well represented during Special Olympics basketball competition

Image: Special olympians Mikey South(40) and Charlie Bolin(5), along with CBI teacher Lynn Rudd, lead Team Italy down the hallways while being cheered on by fellow students as the band played a beat for our champions!

Special olympians Mikey South(40) and Charlie Bolin(5), along with CBI teacher Lynn Rudd, lead Team Italy down the hallways while being cheered on by fellow students as the band played a beat for our champions! (Barry Byers)

Image: One of the joys of being an athlete is the ceremonial busting thru the banner, or in some cases, sliding and crawling under.

One of the joys of being an athlete is the ceremonial busting thru the banner, or in some cases, sliding and crawling under. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kerri Rudd waits patiently with Team Italy members before the start of the Special Olympics basketball competition. Back row (L-R): Wyatt Ballard, Charlie Bolin and Damarcus Houston. Front row (L-R): Brothers Mikey South and Frank South.

Kerri Rudd waits patiently with Team Italy members before the start of the Special Olympics basketball competition. Back row (L-R): Wyatt Ballard, Charlie Bolin and Damarcus Houston. Front row (L-R): Brothers Mikey South and Frank South. (Barry Byers)

Image: As one of his final tasks as the Stafford Elementary principal, Jonathan Nash was on hand to show his support for Italy’s team members. Here, Nash and CBI teacher Angela Chambers comfort Wyatt Ballard(24) before Ballard’s name is called to compete.

As one of his final tasks as the Stafford Elementary principal, Jonathan Nash was on hand to show his support for Italy’s team members. Here, Nash and CBI teacher Angela Chambers comfort Wyatt Ballard(24) before Ballard’s name is called to compete. (Barry Byers)

Image: Team Italy (L-R): Taylor Turner, CBI teacher Teresa Young, Stafford Elementary Principal Jonathan Nash, Damarcus Houston(22), Wyatt Ballard(24), Charlie Bolin(5), Mikey South(40), Frank South(14) and Jessica Garcia.

Team Italy (L-R): Taylor Turner, CBI teacher Teresa Young, Stafford Elementary Principal Jonathan Nash, Damarcus Houston(22), Wyatt Ballard(24), Charlie Bolin(5), Mikey South(40), Frank South(14) and Jessica Garcia. (Barry Byers)

Image: Principal Jonathan Nash and cheerleaders Jessica Garcia and Taylor Turner encourage Frank South(14) as he prepares to compete.

Principal Jonathan Nash and cheerleaders Jessica Garcia and Taylor Turner encourage Frank South(14) as he prepares to compete. (Barry Byers)

Image: As a rookie competing in the games, Italy’s Frank South(14) was more like a seasoned pro as he quickly mastered dribbling down and back between cones in a timed event.

As a rookie competing in the games, Italy’s Frank South(14) was more like a seasoned pro as he quickly mastered dribbling down and back between cones in a timed event. (Barry Byers)

Image: Frank South(14) is fearless as he takes aim at a large square on the wall.

Frank South(14) is fearless as he takes aim at a large square on the wall. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Frank South(14) receives his 3rd place medal while standing proudly on the podium of champions.

Italy’s Frank South(14) receives his 3rd place medal while standing proudly on the podium of champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Frank South(14) admires his 3rd place medal. Way to go, Rookie!

Frank South(14) admires his 3rd place medal. Way to go, Rookie! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School Cheerleader Taylor Turner supports special olympian Charlie Bolin(5) as he eagerly awaits to compete.

Italy High School Cheerleader Taylor Turner supports special olympian Charlie Bolin(5) as he eagerly awaits to compete. (Barry Byers)

Image: Charlie Bolin(5) recorded one of the fastest times of the day during the timed speed dribbling drill where Charlie was required to dribble down and back while staying between the cones.

Charlie Bolin(5) recorded one of the fastest times of the day during the timed speed dribbling drill where Charlie was required to dribble down and back while staying between the cones. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Charlie Bolin(5) is extremely proud of his 2nd place medal after it was draped around his neck while standing on the podium of champions.

Italy’s Charlie Bolin(5) is extremely proud of his 2nd place medal after it was draped around his neck while standing on the podium of champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleaders Taylor Turner and Jessica Garcia give Charlie Bolin(5) two thumbs up as he displays his 2nd place medal.

Cheerleaders Taylor Turner and Jessica Garcia give Charlie Bolin(5) two thumbs up as he displays his 2nd place medal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Wyatt Ballard(24) displayed great skill while dribbling down and back between the cones during a timed event.

Italy’s Wyatt Ballard(24) displayed great skill while dribbling down and back between the cones during a timed event. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wyatt Ballard(24) takes aim at the goal and then establishes himself as one of the top shooters in the contest.

Wyatt Ballard(24) takes aim at the goal and then establishes himself as one of the top shooters in the contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Wyatt Ballard(24) is all smiles after receiving his 2nd place medal while standing atop the podium of champions.

Italy’s Wyatt Ballard(24) is all smiles after receiving his 2nd place medal while standing atop the podium of champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Overcoming an injured finger on his shooting hand, Wyatt Ballard(24) proudly displays his 2nd place medal for the Italy Neotribune readers.

Overcoming an injured finger on his shooting hand, Wyatt Ballard(24) proudly displays his 2nd place medal for the Italy Neotribune readers. (Barry Byers)

Image: A veteran of the games, Italy’s Mikey South(40) shows us how its done during the down and back dribbling event while being timed for speed.

A veteran of the games, Italy’s Mikey South(40) shows us how its done during the down and back dribbling event while being timed for speed. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Mikey South(40) points at the rim as he gages his upcoming shot attempt.

Italy’s Mikey South(40) points at the rim as he gages his upcoming shot attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mikey South(40) puts up a jumper during the long shot event.

Mikey South(40) puts up a jumper during the long shot event. (Barry Byers)

Image: He swishes the shot! Mikey South(40) admires his awesomeness as he knocks down the jumper on his final attempt.

He swishes the shot! Mikey South(40) admires his awesomeness as he knocks down the jumper on his final attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Care professional at Stafford Elementary, Lynn Rudd looks on proudly as Mikey South(40) receives a high-five from cheerleader Taylor Turner after South scored a basket.

Care professional at Stafford Elementary, Lynn Rudd looks on proudly as Mikey South(40) receives a high-five from cheerleader Taylor Turner after South scored a basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wednesday was one of those great days! Mikey South(40) was presented his 3rd place medal from Coppell’s Kelsey Conrad, Miss DFW 2014, who added beauty and bling to the medal ceremonies for the areas’ special olympians.

Wednesday was one of those great days! Mikey South(40) was presented his 3rd place medal from Coppell’s Kelsey Conrad, Miss DFW 2014, who added beauty and bling to the medal ceremonies for the areas’ special olympians. (Barry Byers)

Return to story