Russ Bearor says that he “smiles from ear to ear” after coaching his basketball team, and he credits the athletes for that.

“Whether they win or lose they always smile,” he says. “They shake hands at the end, or they come over and give you a hug. They absolutely love playing.”

Bearor coaches the Cumberland County team that played at the Special Olympics regional tournament Sunday. The squad, one of 27 on hand for the competition at USM, tied for third in the master’s division.

“This group doesn’t have an opportunity to practice together,” said the coach. “We come here and practice for 45 minutes before our first game and that’s it. The first year we did this we won the state championship.”

Bearor, a Westbrook firefighter, has been involved with Special Olympics for 15 years. He began coaching the basketball team three years ago when his wife, Sue – a Special Olympics area manager – volunteered him. The duo run an eight-week program for special needs students at Deering High School in the fall called Unified Sports.

The Cumberland County team ranges in age from 15 to 50 and consists of players from various communities, including three from Westbrook: Lee Pelletier, Joe DeCosta and Paul Houston.

“It’s all about the athletes,” said Bearor. “It’s the only reason that any of us are here.”