BY GABY MALANGA
Sports Copy Editor
The unified basketball team finished their season with a 15-4-1 record.
Head Coach Brooke Chlebowski successfully led her team to another dominant season. “It was a great season for our Unified Basketball Team. We continued our success, while also developing our skills on the court and our friendships off the court,” said Chlebowski.
Following a successful season last winter, players returned ready to continue improving tremendously. “I feel better than last year since I got more experience playing,” stated Karli Buchbinder, who finished the season with 47 points.
Frank Lorence led the team in points, scoring 158 during the season. “I’ve done really well,” stated Lorence. “I’ve got a good amount of points.”
On February 5, the team took on Bridgewater in a close battle, but the Knights came out on top, winning 54-52. “We were excited to win against Bridgewater,” stated sophomore Laila Vaughan. “It was a feel-good win.”
Lorence made a season highlight for the entire team on January 30, the team’s Senior Night. “A highlight during the season was when I prom-posed to Mackie on senior night, and she said yes,” explained Lorence
Joining the Play Unified Basketball team provides a rewarding and enlightening experience for all students involved. “I learned how to be more inclusive and help others enjoy high school just as everyone else does,” explained three-year player Luke Kennedy.
Despite their outstanding record, winning didn’t mean everything to the Unified team. “Aside from winning most games, I feel a bond was created by both players and families involved that made every game and event amazing,” stated Kennedy.
Play Unified represents a worldwide community of inclusion. “Inclusion means judging people off the kindness in their heart, not their physical and mental traits,” expressed sophomore Jamie Hazel. “Inviting them to share a moment together despite differences means a lot.”
This team created friendships on the court, especially when the Knights took on Hillsborough on January 2. “Hillsborough was the highlight of the season because my friend Luke and I met a player on their team named Joe,” said Adrian Yu, who finished second on the team in total points with 104.
After falling short of a State Championship, the team hopes for an even better season next year, but first, the team will finish its season by playing in the Unified Cup on April 7.
Posted on 3/21/24
Photos by Angel Chiaravallo, Katelyn Buchalter, and Anusha Perinkolam
Knight Life 