Page 3 - The Buzz 04/03/2026

APRIL 3 - 16, 2026 The LOCAL NEWS | A3
Zanesville Special Olympics Tigers triumphed against ZFD in

annual matchup BY MATTHEW DOTSON | THE BUZZ

The Zanesville Special Olympics Tigers basketball team and cheerleaders posed with the Zanesville Fire Department after their annual game at the James D. Singer Activity Center.
Matthew Dotson
I was not sure what to expect my athletes played,” stated the MCBDD graphed songs to amp up the play- the Tigers, and the cheerleading
first time stepping into the James Special Olympics Coordinator Carrie ers. squad all gathered together for pic-
D. Singer Activity Center in Zanes- Cabeen. Back on the court, the Tigers tied tures, as well as a few individual sel-
ville. Inside, the bleachers were The Tigers have 15 players on their up the score and kept it neck-and- fies with friends and teammates
filled with players, cheerleaders, 2025-2026 roster including: Aman- neck with the firefighters to end “You know what? We love this.
family, friends, and local spectators da Loy, Jeremy Palmer, Tyson Queen, the fourth quarter at a draw to send I’m going to get emotional. This is
who had come to watch what was Jonathan Smith, Jeremiah Davis, the game into overtime. In the final a great group. We love to come out
a Zanesville tradition. For about 10 Brandon Riley, Jessie Coles, Tianna minutes of the game, the Zanesville and do this in the community. It’s
years now (aside from a couple of Cruz (not present at the game), Chel- Fire Department fell behind by two touching. As you can see, we like to
years during COVID), the Zanesville sea Cruz (not present at the game), points, giving the Tigers a final win- egg each other on a lot. And a lot of
Fire Department has been volunteer- Mikey Hayes, Nathan Lemmon, ning score of 46 – 44 hugs and a lot of sweat and tears go
ing to play the Muskingum County Vance Snyder, Joshua Loy, Ricky Tigers guard Mikey Hayes has into it, because we love these guys
Special Olympics Tigers basketball Shutt (not present at the game), and played the game against the Fire like family,” said Assistant Chief
team. Carmen Barnett. Department for about seven or eight Doug Hobson, who has been play-
The game was a highlight of the Ti- The game had a lot of camarade- years and is a 27-year veteran for the ing the game against the Tigers for
gers’ season, which consisted of 12 rie between the firefighters and the Tigers. Hayes was responsible for a about 10 years.
regular games and a regional tourna- Tigers. The Firefighters would put a good number of the points scored by “It was a lot of fun. A lot of sports-
ment. The March staple at the James shot up, and the Tigers would drib- the Tigers. manship, a lot of fun, some compet-
is part of the MCBDD’s events for De- ble the ball back down the court “[The Game was] alright, we could itiveness. Great time,” stated Zanes-
velopmental Disabilities Awareness and pass to a teammate who would get better, we won by one shot, we ville Fireman Jason Ankrum, “This
Month. make a jump shot, holding pretty could do better,” stated Hayes. is actually my first year playing. I’ve
“The game began both as a way for close to their opponent as they were Jeremiah Davis, a five-year veter- been on the fire department for al-
the players to engage the communi- trailing by just a couple of points at an for the Tigers Special Olympics most 19 years, but this is the first
ty and as a way to raise awareness halftime. team, said: “I feel like we struggled year I’ve played with them.”
for the Muskingum County Board of During the break, the Tigers’ cheer- sometimes, but down the stretch, This is definitely a game that the
DD and, particularly, Special Olym- leaders performed for the packed we got it, but after all, I think we did two teams look forward to each
pics. The community was given an crowd, performing several routines good when it comes down to it.” year, and a great celebration for the
opportunity to see just how good the and adding in a couple of choreo- After the game, the Firefighters, Zanesville community.

Carmen Barnett makes a shot for the Tigers in a game against the Zanesville Fire Depart-
ment. Matthew Dotson

No 3 for the Tigers passed the ball in the Brandon Riley aimed for a shot for the
annual game against the Zanesville Fire Tigers while Zanesville Fireman Jason
Department. Matthew Dotson Ankrom jumped to block. Matthew Dotson

Amanda Loy took a shot for the Tigers win against ZFD. Matthew Dotson