Dribbling down the court, each winter is a team filled with smiles and competitive spirit. As the Unified Basketball season gets closer, athletes, helpers and fans are overjoyed about the season to come.

As athletes prepare for the upcoming season they have goals in mind for what they would like to accomplish this season. Player Ava Griesbeck ’24 said he is ready to enter her fourth season hot with goals in mind.

“I want to improve my shooting and score more baskets,” Griesbeck said.

Along with the athletes, helpers are also eager to begin the season. Second year helper Samuel Craparotta ’25 said he is thrilled to help the athletes score points this season.

“I’m looking forward to winning games,” Craparotta said. “I’m excited about this (season), (we’ve) got some good players.”

Players have each made improvements to their skillset over their time playing, as their hard work pays off. Even though Griesbeck has managed to successfully play for all four years, she said she had little experience with the sport prior to highschool.

“I’d only ever played basketball in gym class before (joining the unified team),” Griesbeck said.

Along with the players making their own accomplishments, Unified Basketball creates friendships within the team. Craparotta said she is eagerly awaiting getting back into the season and helping the athletes learn the game.

“My favorite part of being involved is just watching the kids have fun, succeed and laugh,” Craparotta said.

To cultivate the bonds between teammates and fans, the team has special activities they do together. Griesbeck said she has built friendships with her teammates by participating in halftime rituals with the team.

“(I like) dancing at halftime with my friends,” Griesbeck said.

In addition to everything the team does to create a fun environment, they provide entertaining games for their fans to come and watch. Fan Julia White ’25 said she almost exclusively watches Unified Basketball.

“I don’t really watch other basketball,” White said. “Sometimes I’ll watch women’s basketball, but other than that not really.”

White said she is ready for the season to start so she can get back to watching the team again. She recalled that she formed many fond memories of watching the intense match ups from last year’s games.

“(Last year) North against South, we went all the way up to a buzzer beater and it was one of the best games I’ve seen in my entire life,” White said.