CLEARWATER, Fla. — The fever of March Madness is everywhere this time of year, including in Clearwater where The Arc Tampa Bay hosted its annual basketball event. 

This is not your regular basketball game — this is the game where folks like Mario Lopez and Frankie Garner can show that they can play like their idols. 

When Lopez and Garner were asked, “Who’s your favorite basketball player?” Garner replied, “Michael Jordan” and Lopez added, “Kobe Bryant.”

Beth Tasis is the executive director of the fundraising foundation.

“We have a program that kind of focuses on health and wellness, so basketball and Special Olympics has been a big part of that and they love it,” Tasis said.

She’s been with the organization for over 20 years, and she said this is her favorite event.

“This is an activity where we really get to showcase what we’re good at to the community,” she said. “And people can come and enjoy and see the spectacular things The Arc does to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a really short period of time.”

The Arc prides itself on providing several resources for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

They also help them live an independent lifestyle. 

“We have a residential that spans as far south as Largo and as far north as Tarpon Springs,” Tasis said.

Events like this help the organization continue to provide those types of resources. 

Back on the basketball court, the game is about to start, with members of The Arc facing the staff.

“So, it’s a team of 14 this year. Ten of them are actual Special Olympians, so they compete competitively, and four are here just for the fun of the game,” said Tasis.

“We are No. 1,” Garner said after the win. “Our team is No. 1.”

Find more information on what The Arc is doing in the community here.