VIDEO: Clarence Unified Basketball Shines During Pep Rally, Game

The spirit and enthusiasm of Clarence’s unified basketball team shined as they played in front of a packed gymnasium at Clarence High School.

“It’s just amazing to see the community come together,” said coach Beth Brawn. “They get to see how wonderful this is.”

Unified Sports brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to play, and the game against Pembroke had the feel of a pep rally. In addition to the fun of the afternoon, the May 22 game highlighted the value of inclusion for those with physical as well as intellectual disabilities. 

Students in attendance had the opportunity to hear from Adam Page, a Paralympic gold medalist in ice sled hockey, along with Special Olympics New York State Games champion Julia Harris.

Brawn said that about 40 students are athletes and partners for the team, and that interest for unified sports is growing.

“It’s amazing to see how empowered our students make each other feel and how welcoming they are to each other,” she said. “They’re learning that they’re better together.”

Clarence's team won the game 56-54 on a buzzer-beating shot from Jayden Johnson, sending the fully packed Clarence High School gym into a frenzy.

The enthusiasm for the game carries on the excitement from earlier this school year, as Clarence’s first-ever team for the Buffalo Polar Plunge raised more than $34,000 to become the event’s top fundraiser for Special Olympics New York.

The Clarence Central School District is seeking to become a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, which recognizes school communities that are creating inclusive environments where all students are accepted and celebrated. Schools looking to achieve this nationwide status must meet 10 standards, primarily built upon Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement.

In addition to the athletic activities offered to students, Clarence High School and Clarence Middle School also has a Unified Club, which brings together different student groups for activities like chalk art on the school’s grounds earlier in the year.