03/26/2026

Special Olympics’ Comets defeat CCBDD in basketball game

Michael Reiner

LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) – The Columbiana County Special Olympics basketball team, The Comets, was victorious on Wednesday in the annual basketball classic.

The Comets walked away with wins in their varsity and JV games against the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The games took place in Nace Gymnasium at David Anderson Jr./Sr. High School in Lisbon.

The Comets won the varsity game 47-29. The CCBDD team was led by Michael Newman, an individual served by CCBDD who is also on the board of directors. Newman led all scorers with 15 points.

Matthew Ferguson helped the Comets with 12 points. Lucas Rhodes had 10 points, and Bryan Weingart had 8 points. Keegan Todd, William Davis, Jamie Gordon, Hannah Price, Bradley Donatella, Tommy Baun and Eric Crews also helped the Comets secure victory.

The Comets also won their JV game, 34-6.

Phil Stewart led the Comets with 8 points in the game. Ray DeWalt and Cody Jackson had 6 points each. Joey Niswonger had 4 points. Comet players Freddy Beshara, Destiny Reynolds, Antonio Maxwell, Kiersten Estes, Zack Adkins, Jada McCoy and CJ Adams helped the Comets win.

The Comets are coached by Ivan Monroy. Former coach Rich Dennison served as the guest official for both games.

Youngstown State University’s “Pete the Penguin” made a special appearance at the event. He was accompanied by two YSU cheerleaders.

The CCBDD Basketball Classic is the highlight event for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is celebrated by the agency in March of every year.