Emotions are high all around as the Unified Basketball team comes together to face off against the Newton North Flyers for another exciting match. The Tappan Gymnasium is filled with family, friends and supporters ready for another thrilling game.
Unified Basketball is an organization that focuses on bringing together people with different abilities and the same interests.They work in collaboration with the Special Olympics; a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities in sports. Regardless of background, ability or experience, Unified Basketball provides students with the opportunity to engage in a culture of personal growth and support.
Unified Basketball has three weekly practices, Monday through Wednesday from 3-4:30 p.m. in Tappan Gym. During practice, the team works on improving their skills and participates in drills to enhance their dexterity. Games are played against the Tigers, the Natick Redhawks and the Framingham Flyers throughout the fall season.
Junior Ramses Smith, a new member of Unified Basketball this year, shared how his coaches have inspired him and given him passion on the team. From that inspiration, Smith additionally says that strong defense is key in achieving success in games.
“The coaches are great. The coaches believe in me more than anyone else ever did. Our team is really about defense, and defense wins championships. I just go by that every day,” Smith said.
Smith said he joined Unified Basketball in order to help the community.
“It made me feel like a better person. I do it because I want to set an example for everyone else,” Smith said.
Originally, Smith was a photographer for the team. He said that seeing his friends on the team inspired him to join. Smith said his goal for the team is to encourage his teammates, help them improve their skills and see them enjoy the sport.
“I saw the fun of it, I saw my friends participating in it, and I wanted to help them get better at the game they love. I wanted to pick them up when they’re down so they can keep their heads up and high,” Smith said.
Captain and senior Gabi Hunter introduced Unified Basketball to the high school and advocated for the Unified Basketball team to join Captains’ Council.
“It’s just a meeting where other captains come together and talk about their teams, and we need a representative. This year there’s four of us. People with disabilities are called athletes, people without disabilities are called partners. We have two partners and two athletes that are captains,” Hunter said.
As captain, Hunter takes on a leadership role and assists her teammates during practices and games.
“I would say in terms of actually being the captain, I view my responsibility as more of being there to help the team. So in most drills, I stay to the side with those that definitely need a little more individual support,” Hunter said.
Junior John Carroll, has played as a member of the team since it was founded. Carroll said that perseverance within Unified Basketball allows the team to overcome struggles.
“It takes a while to understand everybody on the team, and everybody struggles [with] weaknesses and strengths and overall how to overcome them together [to] better succeed in the sport. Accomplishing those goals is a great thing to see,” Carroll said.
Carroll said Unified Basketball has created a more open-minded community and inclusive culture, making him a more accepting person.
“[Unified Basketball] taught me a lot of things,” Carroll said. “It made me a better person, and more accepting and open to people no matter where they come from and their backgrounds.”
