When the Game Goes On Anyway

They trained all season for a moment—so they made sure it still happened.

March 25, 2026

Sometimes, the scoreboard never lights up.

Sometimes, the brackets stay blank, the buses stay parked, and a season that built toward one moment gets swept aside by something as simple and stubborn as weather.

That’s what happened when the second day of the basketball tournament portion of Winter Games were canceled.

And that’s when the Androscoggin River athletes decided the season wasn’t over.

Rewriting Game Day

Instead of letting that final chapter go unwritten, the team and their volunteers got to work. Led by coaches Kelly Croteau and Brian Lamarre, and with support from the Berlin Recreation & Parks Department, they built something new from the ground up, transforming disappointment into a game night of their own.

On March 19, the gym came alive.

Uniforms were back on. Sneakers hit the hardwood. The echoes of whistles and cheers filled the space just like they were meant to.

With the help of Karen Turgeon, local Unified basketball coach, and referees Mr. Woodward and Mr. Lauze, the team hosted a 3-on-3 tournament that gave athletes exactly what they had been working toward all season: the chance to compete.

Basketball, the Way It’s Meant to Be

This wasn’t just a scrimmage. It was a full-on game day experience.

Two 3-on-3 games ran side-by-side across the court, keeping the energy high and the action constant. Teammates from the 5-on-5 squad jumped in to help round out rosters, making sure everyone had a place on the court.

And in the stands? Family, friends, and community members showed up in full force, turning the gym into something electric.

Because that’s what sport does. It pulls people in. It creates moments that matter.

The Details That Made It Special

The magic wasn’t just in the games, it was in the care behind them.

Cupcakes topped with tiny basketballs.
A decorated wall filled with basketball cutouts and personalized “trophies.”
Every detail thoughtfully put together to make the night feel like what it was always meant to be: a celebration.

A reminder that these athletes didn’t just train for a season, they earned a moment.

And they got it.

More Than a Game

This is what makes Special Olympics New Hampshire so powerful.

It’s not just the big stages or the official competitions. It’s the creativity of teams who find a way forward. It’s the dedication of volunteers who refuse to let hard work go unrecognized. It’s the belief that every athlete deserves their chance to play, no matter what.

When the tournament was canceled, the Androscoggin River athletes didn’t lose their season.

They built something new instead.

And if you had stepped into that gym in Berlin that night, you wouldn’t have seen what was missed.

You would have seen what’s possible. 🏀