With seconds left on the clock and the score tied, the Copper City Cardinals made a final basket to secure their first gold medal win at the Special Olympics Arizona State Basketball Tournament in Mesa.
The competition, held the first weekend in March, also marked the first time Globe-Miami’s Special Olympics basketball team had competed since the COVID pandemic.
This year’s competition drew as many as 30 teams from around the state.
“Special Olympics Arizona said this was their largest event ever,” said Copper City Cardinals coach Sara Ford.
After matches on Friday and a 28–12 win against Peoria on Saturday, the Cardinals were set to compete against Chandler for the gold later that day.
The Cardinals took an early 6–0 lead, which they maintained until the fourth quarter, when Chandler tied the game with just 15 seconds remaining.
Moments later, with only three seconds left on the clock, player Andrew Johnson took a pass and drove the length of the floor for a final winning basket.
Chandler was unable to inbound the ball before time expired, and the game ended at 20-18.
The Copper City Cardinals erupted in celebration, in a moment reminiscent of the 1986 basketball film “Hoosiers,” said Bryan Chambers, father of player Thomas Chambers.
The victory marked a dramatic shift in confidence from the start of the tournament.
Early on, the Cardinals were intimidated and felt as though “they didn't think they had what the other teams had,” Ford said.
During the third quarter of the final game, team member Martin Esparza rallied his teammates with a motivational speech.
“He reminded the players that this is what they've been working for,” Ford said.
The newly formed team has only been together since August. In addition to Andrew, Thomas and Esparza, the team includes Jared Johnson, Gary Lyman, James “JJ” Lyman and Timothy Stevenson. Ford and James Lyman serve as coaches.
The Copper City Cardinals were able to participate through sponsorship from Resolution Copper, and the team is currently seeking additional sponsors.
“As a coach, I'm extremely proud to be involved with these athletes, and their winning the gold was amazing,” Ford said.
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