JOHN DAY The Grant County Sharpshooters came out on target April 5 against the Local Law Enforcement team, winning 30-6.

More than 100 fans packed the bleachers at the Grant Union Junior-Senior High School gym for the Special Olympics fund-raiser basketball game.

The Sharpshooter team roster for five-on-five play included Charley Fronapel, Jay Colson, Nicole Cagle, John Bryant, Michael Scott Corps, Brian McKrola, Katie Latham, Hope Durkee, Elizabeth Swarthout, Ben Joslin and Billy Scott Howland (who was unable to attend the event).

The Law Enforcement team included Rich Tirico, Richard Gray, Damon Rand, Valerie Luttrell and Chris Kennedy of the John Day Police Department; Glenn Palmer, Lindsey Wyllie, Josh Martin of the Grant County Sheriffs Office; and Ryan Joslin and Ashley Daniel of the District Attorneys Office.

It was fun and exciting, said Fronapel, adding that he enjoyed the look on his opponents faces when his team took opportunities to steal the ball.

I thought the game was good and a lot of fun, and we had good teamwork, too, said Cagle.

Later on, the two teams mixed for a more competitive game that ended with a score of 16-8.

The Sharpshooters have been honing their ball handling over the past few months in practice and did well at regional competition last month.

The team was recognized for their accomplishments at the March 18 winter basketball games in Beaverton.

Travis Estes received gold and Courtney Holbrook earned bronze in individual skills. Both were coached by Lyssa McKrola.

Durkee, Pam Ellis and Swarthout took home silver medals for three-on-three play. They were coached by Kathy Durkee and assistants Deronda Lallatin and Charley Fronapel.

The five-on-five team, coached by Kim Joslin and assistant David Gill, earned fourth place and the Sportsmanship Award.

Joslin, who is Grant County Special Olympics coordinator, noted the programs are growing.

We have some athletes that are great leaders, and the number of our volunteers has increased twofold, she said. The community is amazing.

Another sportsmanship award could have been handed out at the April 5 event as players on both the Sharpshooter and Law Enforcement teams demonstrated, for the most part, good-natured attitudes in the game.

Its amazing, the talent the other team had, said Wyllie, a reserve deputy for the Sheriffs Office. I enjoyed the opportunity to get out and play a game with them well get em next year.