Winter sports are here, and with that, many sports are beginning their final preseason tryouts and practices, ready to make the most of this year. Impractical that the Unified Basketball Team has recently conducted their first practice and have started their preparations for their home opener on Dec. 17 against Sterling Heights High School. In order to be prepared for the upcoming season, forward Donte Ormond ’26 says the team has been practicing multiple times a week, trying to improve their skills.
“I really like this time of the year,” Ormond said. “It’s nice to play a sport and have a ton of friends and family come to watch you.”
It wasn’t just the fans and family that made the game so special for the Unified Team. Each year, South gets to play a game at Little Caesars Arena and walk through the hallway before heading off early. Helper Jack Danielewicz ’26, although not taking shots like the players, enjoys helping the team on the court of the Detroit Pistons.
“Outside of spending time with the players and making sure everyone scores, playing at Little Caesars Arena is a season highlight,” Danielewicz said. “A lot of the first-year players don’t realise how big a stadium it is at first, so it’s always cool to see their reactions when we first walk in.”
Shortly after the Little Caesars game, South hosts the Northsmen in a yearly full house. Being the last game of the season, students and fans from both sides make it a top priority to attend the game and show support. Now helper and former fan Mia Labadie ’27 watched both of the games during her first two years at South and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the action.
“It’s really cool to see how excited people are when someone makes a clutch shot or a cool steal,” Labadie said. “Even just clapping for the shots cheers the players up so much and makes their experience so much better.”
With the opening day of the season coming soon and a pumped-up team of athletes and helpers, the South Unified Team is ready for whatever comes their way.
“The whole point of the Unified program is to allow every student the ability to play sports,” Danielewicz said. “If I can help make someone have more fun or learn something about basketball, then it’s a no-brainer for me to sign up to help.”
