Members of the Butte Ratz Special Olympics basketball team are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.

The honors come after the Ratz captured the championship at the Special Olympics State Basketball tournament, which was held Nov. 6 through Nov. 8 in Helena.

The Ratz beat a team from Kalispell in the championship game, avenging their only loss of the tournament.

Players on the team are Joe Gibson (No. 23), Jeff Williamson (No. 30), Mark Taylor (No. 35), Thad Powell (No. 10), Nikki Cherne (No 55), Jay “Hollywood” Foley (No. 32) and Amber Baca (No. 3). The team is coached by Eddi Walker and Ed Foley.

During the tournament, the team not only had a ton of fun while winning the state championship. They also represented the Mining City with class and dignity like they always do. They epitomized everything that is great about the Special Olympics.

The Ratz are already looking forward to defending their title next November when the tournament returns to Butte.

For the third year, Leskovar Honda, home of the non-commission sales staff that always has your back, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.