Unified basketball schedules their first home game

Lakeview High School’s Unified basketball team has scheduled their first home game for Feb. 19 in the main gymnasium.

   Unified basketball is a sports program under the Special Olympics that gives students with disabilities (players) and without disabilities (partners)  an opportunity to compete against other schools. This was its first year here at Lakeview, and it has so far been a success.

   Having had four away games this season, the team has finally been able to get approval for a home game. 

Senior Abigail Wilbur, one of the two student advisors of unified basketball, said, “It was pretty difficult to figure out between our own school’s schedule with boys and girls basketball going on at the same time, but we figured it out.”

   With all other games so far being away, support from fellow Huskies has been minimal. 

   “We’re kind of running a pack the stands campaign so I think that they’re going to come out and show up for the unified team,” said Nicole McKay, unified basketball’s advisor, in regards to how to increase support at the games.

   Unified just had their first win at Fraser High School in front of the whole school during their school-wide engagement game that took place at 12;45, in the middle of the school day. The players, partners, and some supporters got the opportunity to attend and witness a close game scoring 52-50.

   Players' spirits are up after the last game, and hopes are high for the home game.         

   Player George Balomenos, ‘26, said “I think we’ll do better at home because my team would rather play here than anywhere else.” 

   Many students are planning to attend the upcoming game, and are excited to see how the team will play at home, in a familiar environment with classmates there to support them.