The ConVal Cougars Unified Basketball team took the floor Thursday evening to celebrate their graduating seniors and take on the team from Souhegan.

Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by the principle of training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Graduating seniors Jack Ingram, Kalena Cooper and Aiden Demetrion were honored for their years of playing, along with playing partners Emma Rodenhiser and Abigail Lussier. The team also includes partner athletes Ivy Armstrong-McEvoy, Grace O’Brien, Kai Reitnauer, Kendrick Edwards, and Dylan Farrell.

From the opening jump, the Cougars jumped ahead, getting five baskets in the first quarter compared to Souhegan’s two. The team worked smoothly, with partner athletes often passing the ball to the shooters who then scored. The Cougars also played tough defense, including C.J. Anderson making a couple steals and fast breaks.

The spread in the score kept growing each quarter, with the final score being ConVal 52, Souhegan 22. Mary Quintanilha was the high scorer with 14 points. Mariah Woodhouse had 10, RJ Woodin eight, Ingram six, Demetrion six, Eve Antonellis four and Anderson four. Kalena Cooper, Darcy Taylor and Noah Cooper were also in the mix throughout the game.