The basketball season isn’t officially over at Minisink Valley.
If you were to peek into the high school gym after school, you’d catch a new district varsity team hard at work learning and perfecting dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, rebounding, footwork and jumping skills.
And like any other district sports team, students would also be learning about teamwork, discipline, resilience, mental toughness and even patience, problem solving and, of course, sportsmanship and hard work.
The Spring sports season includes a new team: Varsity Unified Basketball.
“Unified Basketball is an incredible sport that brings together athletes of all abilities to compete, collaborate, and build lasting friendships,” said Head Coach Theresa Uhelsky. “It emphasizes inclusion, teamwork, and respect, showing that everyone has a valuable role to play, no matter their skill level. Through Unified Basketball, athletes not only improve their game but also break down barriers, proving that the power of sport can unite and inspire. When we play together, we learn from each other, and that’s what makes us stronger, both on and off the court.”
This new district team is part of a greater movement statewide to introduce unified sports in school districts to promote social inclusion and foster a more inclusive school environment. According to Special Olympics New York, over 300 schools statewide offer at least one unified sports team.
“It brings together students with and without disabilities on the same teams for sports training and competition, aiming to break down stereotypes and build friendships,” said Athletic Director Tim Bult. “We are thrilled to introduce Unified Basketball this spring season. Watching this team practice and be ready for the official start of their season is amazing. They’re working so hard and their efforts are paying off.”
Coach Uhelsky worked with Director of Pupil Personnel Services Jeffrey Finton and Supervisor of Secondary Special Education Jennifer Pearson to identify students who may be interested in playing.
“It’s great to see our unified athletes engaged and have this wonderful experience,” he said. “It’s a fabulous opportunity for personal growth and confidence building.”
At a recent practice, senior Johnny Franco was working on his free throws.
“I love shooting and bouncing,” he said. “I love practicing and I love being on this team.”
Johnny is paired with senior Kevin Crowe-Bailey, who spent time at that recent practice talking to him about the proper form needed to shoot from the free-throw line.
“This (the team) is bigger than all of us,” he said. “It’s about the athletes mixing in and understanding they’re a part of something. I wanted to support something bigger than myself.”
On the other side of the court, sophomore Brendan Elwood was explaining some of the nuances of the game to freshman Naomi Hargett.
“It’s fun, I’m learning how to play basketball,” she said as she quickly dribbled the ball and took a shot. (She hit the shot.)
“I believe it’s important for everyone to have fun playing sports,” said Brendan. “Making friends is also what sports is all about. The kids on this team really love it. This brings people together and gives students with special needs a chance to be a part of a team.”
The team’s first home game is Thursday, April 24 against Monroe-Woodbury. Coach Uhelsky is working with Volunteer Coach Kara Anderson-Winchell to make sure the season is a memorable and successful one.
“We’ve got some fun things planned during the games,” she added. “Our team is working hard and they will be ready for their first game. We couldn’t do this without the involvement of the students who are partnering with our unified athletes. These students are kind, empathic, caring and are committed to our unified athletes’ success. We’re grateful to them and to district leadership for their support of this team. Come to our games, you’ll come away with such a heartwarming feeling.”