Even though the season is over for the varsity basketball team, the gym was still ringing with the sounds of squeaking shoes and dribbling basketballs, as the Special Olympics team competed in the Northern Virginia Section Hoops Challenge Feb. 27.

The entire Special Olympics squad consists of two teams because of the additional freshmen that joined this year. In previous years, there has been only one team that played in these Special Olympic basketball tournaments. The original team from last year stayed together, and a new team was formed which consisted of mostly freshmen. Last year’s team placed second in the tournament, and looked for repeated success in this year’s tournament as well.

The newly formed team won its first game against S. John Davis Center, 16-10; however, they had a tough loss in the second game against Fairfax Cannons, 19-22. The game was competitive from start to finish, but the Highlanders were unable to pull out the win.

The veteran team had some difficulty as well and lost a close game to Chantilly 20-22, but won its first game against an Alexandria team 36-8.

In preparation for the tournament, the two teams had been practicing together in the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During these practices they worked on the basics of basketball such as lay-ups, shooting and rebounds, and played against each other in scrimmages in order to prepare for the real games.

“Sometimes we get our positions mixed up, but it’s still a lot of fun to play,” senior Meghan Muskett said.

Although the two teams are mainly playing to have fun and learn the game of basketball, they also want to represent the school well.

“They are here to improve skills, have fun and win. They are very proud to represent McLean,” coach Rita Kuntz said.

The tournament drew a crowd as spectators came to watch the games, and a number of volunteers refereed the games and kept track of scores.

“They’re kind of short of help, so I wanted to support them,” said junior Brian Watkins,who refereed one of the games. “It’s for a good cause, and it is nice that these kids have fun.”

Most of the kids that choose to play in the tournament are just looking to have fun and be with friends.

“When I make it, it’s good, but if we don’t win that’s still okay,” freshman Frankie Reed said. “I just play for fun and to have a good time.”

The teams in Northern Virginia Section Hoops Challenge that won both their games qualified to play at the Stafford County State competition, and although the McLean teams did not win both their games, the veteran team was randomly selected to play at the tournament. However, three of the eight players on the team will not be available to play at the Stafford tournament, so the team will not be able to play.

Before the Northern Virginia Section Hoops Challenge, the team had two tournaments, one in Loudoun County that was cancelled due to snow, and one at Edison High School Feb. 6.

The team will be playing at Chancellor High School for the Fredericksburg Area 11 invitational tournament this Saturday against Chantilly and Centreville High Schools.