The ConVal Cougars Unified Basketball Team ended its season undefeated after winning the final game 47-46 against the undefeated Milford Spartans. The final score was decided by ConVal player Brennan White’s buzzer-beater shot.
While the game on Friday, Jan. 30 was close, ConVal had a few standout performances that sealed the deal.
In addition to White scoring the game-winner, his poise throughout the game also netted his team much needed points.
Numbers 13 and 31, C.J. Anderson and Josiah Wisenburg, put on a great performance as well. The two showed great chemistry as they assisted one another in scoring points throughout the game. They also showed little apprehension in riling the crowd during periodic lulls in their enthusiasm.
The unified basketball program is a varsity sport founded on community and support.
“Life Skills students are paired with partners who support them throughout the season,” ConVal Unified Basketball head coach Kevin Carne said. “They play every game together side-by-side.”
According to coach Matthew Harris, the job of each player’s partner is to get rebounds. “We tell the partners the more rebounds they get, the more shots on net the players get.”
“The seasons are usually six to eight games each,” Carne noted. Each game is split into two 16-minute periods.
Carne said multiple avenues are used to recruit players. “For partners, we look at students on other sports teams. Three girls are from the lacrosse team, which I also coach.” He said advertisements are also used to promote the team’s first meeting of the season in an attempt to enlist potential players.
“Right now we have 19 players. The most we’ve had was 28. Numbers are never an issue and we never cut anyone,” Carne said.
As the last game of the season, the seniors on each team were recognized. Charley Pyle, Zadie Marshall and Scarlett Rogers represented ConVal.
“I started partnering with the team my freshman year,” Pyle stated. With an athletic background, Pyle’s English teacher Alexis Harris told Coach Matthew Harris to recruit her. “Ms. Harris knew I’d enjoy it.”
“I started my sophomore year. I learned about the unified program through Charley,” Marshall said, adding that she, too, met Coach Harris through Alexis Harris.
Both players said when their time at ConVal comes to a close later this year, they hope to take the idea of community they’ve gained from the unified team with them wherever they go.
“With Unified Basketball, it’s not about the game, it’s about the community. Everyone is so supportive,” Pyle said. She mentioned the friendships she’s formed during the program. “Zadie and I met one of our best friends, Darcy, through the program.”
“I feel that, too,” Marshall added. “The sport is so inclusive. All the players are loved and everyone jokes around with one another.”
She also noted how she loves the spirit of the team and the general level of enthusiasm the team conveys. “Everyone is always so excited.”
Freshman partner Brennan Schaub said he got his start in the unified program with the soccer team. “I played on the Unified Soccer Team in the fall,” he said. “Kevin told me about the basketball team, so signed up.”
What Schaub enjoys most about the sport is winning. “Winning is my favorite, but the game is a lot less stressful than traditional basketball, so it’s more fun. Everyone just wants to have a good time and cheers each other on.”
The ConVal student body filled the high school’s gymnasium to support the team, matching the energy on the basketball court. Whether it was a point scored or big rebound, the team’s fans weren’t shy about expressing their support and enthusiasm.
“We have a really special community,” ConVal Principal Heather McKillop said, calling her students amazing. McKillop couldn’t find the words to express the pride she had in both the student body and the basketball team. “They’re all just really good kids, cheering on their classmates for better or worse.”
“I’ve been coaching the team for 11 years now, and every year is just as good as the last,” Carne said. “Every game is just a blast.”
Harris who is in his fifth year coaching the team, said he never wants to walk away from his players. “I used to coach football and baseball. Once I joined the unified team, I stopped coaching the other sports because I just wasn’t willing to give it up.” He said unified basketball is too much fun and that he’s never seen a player or a student leave a game with a frown.
“The thing I love most about coaching the team is that it’s a chance to give back to kids who deserve a chance to play,” he said.
After his first season with the team, Coach Tyler Mudrick has similar feelings.
“Coaching the team is satisfying and rewarding,” he said. “Everything from the genuine reactions coming from the student body supporting the team, to the kids just being excited to be here.”
While it may have been the last official game of the season for the Cougars, the school is hosting a Staff vs. Students unified basketball game Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. in the ConVal gymnasium as a sendoff for February vacation.