Amanda O’Neill brings the ball up the court for Mansfield High’s Unified Basketball team during their game against Franklin last Thursday, Oct. 14. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Carla Guirguis passes the ball to teammate Sawyer Low during last Thursday’s game. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Members of Mansfield’s Unified Basketball team play defense versus Franklin. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Amanda O’Neill takes a shot while teammate Yaman Abou-Allaban looks on. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Leo Evans brings the ball up the court for Mansfield. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Coach Chris Fong speaks with Kyle Quinn during halftime of last Thursday’s game. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Brodie Rodriguez takes a shot during Mansfield’s games versus Franklin. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Kyle Quinn brings the ball up the coach for Mansfield. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Players on the bench for the Unified Basketball team cheer on their teammates. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) 
Coach David Rosa speaks with Sawyer Low during halftime of last Thursday’s game. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)
MANSFIELD — Superintendent of Schools Teresa Murphy, Athletic Director Mike Redding and Director of Special Education Jim Leonard are pleased to report the successful start of the Unified Basketball program at Mansfield High School.
The Mansfield High Unified Basketball program launched earlier this month when the school played its first-ever game against Canton High School. The team played their first two home games last week when they squared off against King Philip Regional High School on Tuesday, Oct. 12 and against Franklin High School on Thursday, Oct 14.
The Unified Sports program in Massachusetts, run by Special Olympics Massachusetts in partnership with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, allows students with disabilities the opportunity to play high school sports alongside their peers in a fun and supportive environment.
As part of the program, student athletes with disabilities are paired with students without disabilities (known as “partners”). For basketball, there are three athletes and two partners on the court at all times, sharing responsibilities and playing as a cohesive team.
“This is a great opportunity for these athletes, and the support of the student body has been so positive,” said Assistant Director of Secondary Special Education Zachary Abrams. “It’s a program that really brings the entire school community together in a unique and special way.”
Mansfield High School explored the idea of starting a Unified Basketball program last year. It now joins the school’s Unified Track program, which has run in the spring for several years.
There are more than a dozen players on the MHS Unified Basketball team. The team is coached by Mansfield High special education teacher David Rosa and special education paraprofessional Chris Fong. Qualters Middle School paraprofessional Kerry McClusksy is the team’s volunteer assistant coach.
Student athletes from other MHS teams, as well as teachers and administrators, came out to cheer the team on from the stands during their two home games last week.
“This program has been a tremendous addition to our school community, and gives these kids a meaningful way to play sports at the high school level and show them what they can do in a team setting,” Coach Rosa said. “The athletes play to their potential and their abilities. For some kids that means taking shots, or passing, or playing defense. Everyone contributes in their own way.”
The Unified Basketball team will play a few more games this season, and plans are already in the works to build on the success of the program’s first season.
“Coach Rosa, Coach Fong and the special education and athletics departments have all come together to make this program a huge success, and I look forward to seeing it grow in future years,” Superintendent Murphy said. “And to all of the athletes and partners on the team, we congratulate them on all their hard work and terrific sportsmanship. They are great ambassadors for Mansfield High School, our district, and the entire Mansfield community.”
Members of the Mansfield High School Unified Basketball team include: Yaman Abou-Allaban, Trevor Angland, Olivia Bovey, Leo Evans, Carla Guirguis, Dana Guirguis, Kathryn Guravage, Sawyer Low, Dylan Monaghan, Amanda O’Neill (co-captain), Kyle Quinn (co-captain), Brodie Rodriguez, Jason Stokinger and JT Veiking.
For more information on Unified Sports, visit the Special Olympics Massachusetts Unified Sports website here and the MIAA website here.
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