Unified basketball team demonstrates unity at its best

“These are the only games you go to that you cheer for both sides,” Joan DiPaola, the parent of a team member, said.

Gianna Jakubowski, Editor-in-Chief
February 7, 2023

The Unified basketball team at Bridgewater-Raritan High School (BRHS) demonstrated sportsmanship at its best this season.

The team and the spectators cheered on both sides at every game and did not pay much attention to the scoreboard, according to parents.  

The BRHS Unified Basketball team competes against Ridge High School on Jan. 24. (Gianna Jakubowski)

These games proved to be very unlike what one would expect in a typical athletic matchup.

For example, at their game on Jan. 24, 2023,  Bridgewater-Raritan competed against Ridge High School in the gymnasium of BRHS. Both the Panthers and the Red Devils cheered each other on, though, unifying as one team.

Joan DiPaola, the parent of Bridgewater-Raritan High Panther, Victor DiPaola, explains that despite the scoreboard operator present, the focus of the audience was elsewhere.

“Oh, we love it. These are the only games you go to that you cheer for both sides,” she said.

Victor DiPaola agrees with his mom that “it’s a lot of fun.” He says he especially enjoys shooting the baskets and seeing his friends. 

The goal of the Unified basketball team is to allow special education students to practice and compete among other special education students from nearby schools, with the aid of their Physical Education (P.E.) partners at BRHS.

One of these P.E. partners, senior Anthony D’Arco, shares that he enjoys participating in Unified basketball.

The Unified basketball teams of BRHS and Ridge High School pose for a picture after the game. (Gianna Jakubowski)

“I always look forward to these games. It’s great,” he said. 

The aid of students without developmental disabilities promotes socialization and allows special education students to learn more communication and recreational skills. The Bridgewater-Raritan head coach, special education teacher Cynthia Wong, further explains the goal of Unified basketball. 

“The whole mission of Unified Sports is inclusion. The peers and the partners work together very well in the end and achieve this goal,” she said.

At their last home game of the season, Bridgewater-Raritan earned its first-ever victory. The Panthers defeated West Morris Mendham High School, 41-38. This group of special education students is the first one at BRHS to be a part of Unified Sports, making this first victory extra special, they say.

With the season coming to an end, two games remain on the schedule for Bridgewater-Raritan. These games will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Delaware Valley Regional High School and Thursday, Feb. 9, at Voorhees Regional High School. Admission is free to those who attend.