Sterling Comets Special Olympics team faces The Badges March 9 at NJC

After a 102 to 43 rout of The Badges in 2025, the Sterling Comets will try to extend a decade-long winning streak when they face the community all-star Badges on Monday, March 9 at 6 p.m. at Northeastern Junior College’s Bank of Colorado Event Center (NJC Event Center). Admission is free and goodwill donations will be taken to help the Comets with expenses throughout the year.

“The Sterling Comets, adult Special Olympians from Northeast Colorado, are ready to hit the basketball court as they once again face off against the Badges, a team made up of Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Sterling Police Department, Sterling Fire Department, City of Sterling and Colorado State Patrol officials, on Monday, March 9.” That lineup names the agencies supplying the Badges' personnel and frames the game as a recurring community matchup between athletes and local public-safety and city officials.

Organizers have built the night as a family entertainment event around the game. “Guests are guaranteed to have an evening of entertainment. Sweet Adelines are singing, there will be performances by Ignite Athletics, Northeastern Dance Academy and Melissa’s School of Dance and the Sterling Federal Credit Union will also be a special guest. Come out and support the Comets!” The schedule lists vocal and dance performances alongside the basketball program.

Logistics are straightforward: “The game starts at 6 p.m. at Northeastern Junior College’s Bank of Colorado Event Center. Admission is free, but goodwill donations will be taken to help the Comets with expenses throughout the year. Snacks and water will be available for purchase.” The event combines a free community sporting event with on-site concessions to raise year-round operating funds for the adult Special Olympics squad.

Photographs from the 2025 matchup underscore the local flavor of the rivalry. “Logan County Sheriff Brett Powell, with back to camera, waits to intercept Joyce Miller under the bucket during the 2025 Comets verses the Badges game. Miller's footwork was more than the normally agile Powell could handle, however, and Miller added two for the Comets.” That play helped produce the decisive 102-43 margin that made last year’s result a talking point in Sterling.

With the Comets entering March 9 as the team to beat after last year’s margin and a reported decade-long winning streak, the March 9 game at the NJC Event Center will be both a competitive contest and a fundraiser: free admission, opportunities to donate, and multiple community performances aimed at supporting the Comets through the season.