Inaugural Bucket Squad a huge success for Special Chieftains
Posted on 01/26/2023
Special Chieftains Bucket Squad(SPS) -- Last Friday, the Lady Chieftains Basketball Team held a spirited event to raise funds for Sapulpa's Special Chieftains program.

During the inaugural Bucket Squad, Special Chieftains, like Special Olympians, got a chance to play a basketball game alongside Sapulpa varsity girls' basketball. The money raised during the event goes toward Special Chieftains programs.

The Special Chieftains broke off into two teams, Team Spirit (Blue) and Team Bull Dawgs (Black), while the stands were filled with students who paid a $1 entry fee and $1 to participate in a halftime paper airplane contest. During halftime, Lady Chieftains senior Stailee Heard was recognized as a McDonalds All American Games Nominee.

"We all love these kids, they're such good kids," said Stailee. "We all have a lot of respect for them and their teachers and we want them to have fun just like we do." 

The game ended tied 32-32, with a highlight from senior Alex Douglas, who made a three-pointer and celebrated with a dance while spectators roared. Thank you to the Lady Chieftains basketball program and coaches Darlean Calip and Nicky Cooper for organizing this event to support Special Chieftains!

"It's really fun, I like it. It's to help the school and the special needs class. It's blowing my mind!" Alex Douglas told KOTV Channel 6's Dan Hawk.

Special Chieftains programs include Special Education classroom activities; Special Chieftain Day-- held every spring at Collins Stadium; and the Green Thumb Chieftains -- a job training program allowing Special Chieftains to work at a local farm as well as make and sell art, home decor, crafts, candles, soaps and other items.

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