Before the team left for LCA, South held a school clapout to get the team excited for the game. Ran by Devil’s Den and Unified, the halls were lined with students as the band, fans, partners, players, and managers such as Julia White ’25, ran through the halls and were excited to get on the bus and start their journey to LCA.
“I think that the clap out is really the best form of inclusion because it allows the players to feel supported right before they play their big game,” White said.
This was the third year that South has played at LCA after being invited by the Special Olympics, and from this team has seen growth within themselves. This experience proves the Unified team’s success in their development and the team’s dedication and hard work.
“Seeing how much the program has grown to this day, and just like us going to LCA now,” Richards said. “It’s just amazing and it warms my heart that these kids get that opportunity.”
Along with the overall entertainment from the game, multiple spectators mentioned how their favorite part of the game was seeing player Banaszewski shoot a clutch 3-pointer. This proved to the team their support for not only other teams but each other as well. Cameron Richards, who is now one of the Assistant coaches, helped start the Unified program back in her sophomore year of high school.
“I think my favorite part about this team is we cheer on everybody,” Richards said. “Our own team, the other team, everybody wants to have fun in this league, and that’s what matters most.”
One unique thing about Unified is the team’s players also consist of those who have graduated and gone to work at different programs such as players Sophia Puzzuol ’23, Will Loosvelt ’22, and Titan McKenzie ’23.
“So many kids came back to the team like Loosvelt and McKenzie,” Richards said. “It’s just very it’s good to have them back and get this opportunity to play at LCA, and I can’t wait to see what other opportunities this program gets to give to the kids.”
With most of the team’s partners and fans being seniors, the rest of the team including Partner Jack Danielewicz ’26, has been both sad for the players and partners they’re losing, as well as excited for the new experiences to come with new team members.
“I’m sad that all the seniors are moving on and won’t be able to play with us next year,” Danielewicz said. “But the end of this year left me extremely optimistic for next year, and I think we have great things to come.”
