UNIFIED ACTION — Indian Creek’s Brayden Tipton goes for points with Edison’s Gabe Croskey and J.D. Henderson attempting to block during a Unified Sports basketball game on Feb. 7. Creek won the inclusive matchup 52-36 with Stewart being the top scorer at 18 points and Edison’s Kaden Eddy earning 15 points for his team, but organizers and players said everybody won in the end. – Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek High School played host to Edison on Feb. 7 in the latest matchup on the hardwood, but everybody won through Unified Sports.

The purpose of the event was to celebrate inclusion as mixed teams of students with intellectual and other disabilities played with general students. The teams maintained a very friendly rivalry in the name of fun and fellowship throughout the 45-minute basketball game but Creek would prove victorious by a score of 52-36 in the end.

Indian Creek’s Brayden Stewart once again topped the scoreboard with 18 points while Kaden “Smiley” Eddy led Edison with 15 points. Paul Sweeney of Edward Jones Investments donated MVP basketballs which were given to each team, with Edison’s going to Eddy, Olivia Ault, Gabe Croskey, Jaidyn Carlson and James Bonecutter while Creek players opted to honor senior Sal Barcalow since it was his final basketball game. Other team members included Misha Amis, Caleb Mannion, Alex Fabian, Jayce Nett, Parker Heath, Ethan Starr, Ty Banfield, Lane Speece, Brayden Taylor, Anthony Riley, Baylee Brown and Makayla Crouch for the Redskins as well as Nadia Denoon, Malayna Bright, J.D. Henderson, Paige Somerville and Zach Kuntz with coaches Kyle Long, Sophia Henderson and Clayton Bokunevitz for the Wildcats.

There were many heartfelt moments during the game, including when Ault made two freethrows with support by both teams and earned a high-five from “opponent” Barcalow following one of her baskets. Overwhelming support also came from the audience which was a blend of students, faculty and residents from both sides.

And the players agreed that the score really did not matter.

“It’s good,” said Mannion, adding that he enjoys being part of the team. “It’s nice to be part of Unified Sports because of the development of the students.”

“I think it’s cool,” added Creek student Austin Moore. “People with disabilities don’t always get a chance to do this and these games help them out.”

 “I love it,” commented Somerville, a member of the EHS Leadership Council who played on the team. “It’s really fun. It feels like everyone’s so happy together and the name ‘unified’ really means a lot.”  

“It felt good,” added Eddy. “This was my first time playing.”

Tom Mort, Unified Sports coordinator for Indian Creek, said the game was the perfect example of what it means to have inclusion.

“It was wonderful. The student body was supportive and the kids had a great time,” he said. “Their smiles were better than a basket.”

 Jason Ensinger, Unified Sports coordinator for Edison, echoed those sentiments.

“I love that we were able to be part of this and I’m glad to see Unified Sports in the schools. I hope it leads to more activities,” Ensinger added. “This was the first time we played basketball and we hope to hold a game at or school. I know our students would like it.”

A definitive date had not been set as of yet, but Ensinger added that schools could still take part in a unified track meet this spring at EHS in Richmond. Edison hosted a similar event last year that involved Creek and Buckeye Local. Meanwhile, Indian Creek has conducted football and basketball games in the past, most notably with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the School of Bright Promise as well as Steubenville and Buckeye Local.