Photo gallery: Special Olympics Utah stages spirited basketball finals
· Yahoo Sports
Players from Jordan celebrate after winning their game at the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026.
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Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Basketball at any level brings out the competitive juices, even more so when March Madness hits the nation.
But competition was combined with inclusion and connection during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships on Monday at the Delta Center
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The tournament brought together 32 teams from 26 high schools at the Delta Center for a day focused on inclusion, connection, and yes, competition.
With Utah first lady Abby Cox in the crowd, fans were treated to fun games, lots of smiles and satisfied athletes.
Cox’s Show Up initiative is a supporter of the expansion of the Special Olympics Unified Sports program across Utah K-12 schools, providing opportunities for students of all abilities to participate in competitive opportunities.
The first lady was joined by the Utah Jazz, Gallagher and other community leaders at the free event, which also included a donation to Special Olympics Utah from the Light the World Giving Machine initiative.
Deseret News photojournalist captured the energy and excitement from Monday’s action.
Utah first lady Abby Cox, center, cheers on athletes as they participate in the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Westlake’s Aubrianna Wadley (25) passes the ball ahead of Roy’s Lymon Stuffers (22) during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Westlake huddles for a cheer before their game during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Corner Canyon’s Isaiah Russell (21) celebrates after making a shot during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Utah first lady Abby Cox speaks during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News A Wasatch and Skyline player compete for a loose ball during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Skyline’s Andrew Bouck (4) shoots the ball during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Highland’s Finnley Jones (18) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Roy’s Nani Lemi drives to the basket for a layup during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Salem Hills’ William Elliott (55) celebrates after defeating Copper Hills during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Copper Hills players take the court before their game during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News A ball flies through the air as players compete for a rebound during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Westlake’s Zayeluh Thomas (31) celebrates with Aubrianna Wadley (25) after their win during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Copper Hills students cheer on their team during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News A Copper Hills coach wears a shirt with “Change starts with CH” written on the back during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Corner Canyon’s Eric Lewis (5) and Ben Jorgenson (10) hustle to get back on defense during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Clearfield’s Zach Johnson (13) shoots the ball during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Highland’s Finnley Jones (18) shoots a 3-pointer over Jordan’s Dominick Santos (15) during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Bountiful’s Marcos Martinez (51) dribbles past Snow Canyon’s Gage Hobson (24) during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News A member of Highland’s team catches a pass during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Wasatch’s William Rojas (44) dribbles past Skyline’s Evan Stephens (11) during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Wasatch’s Lincoln Denna (14) celebrates after making a shot during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Fans go crazy after a 3-pointer by Jordan’s Dominick Santos (15) during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News A Northridge player shoots the ball during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Teams compete during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Wasatch celebrates their win during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Woods Cross’ Steven Beutler (52) smiles as they run down the court during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Fans' signs rest in the first row of chairs as teams compete during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Corner Canyon’s Ben Jorgenson (10) shoots the ball during the Special Olympics Utah Unified Sports State Basketball Championships at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News