By Nate Taylor

Senior, Michael Lawrence reaches to the sky and the basketball exits his grip, it flies through the air as everyone in the gym holds their breath. His feet return firmly to the ground five feet beyond the three-point line, as the ball enters the net, seemingly in slow motion. The gym is filled with cheers and applause as Mike makes his victory lap around the court.

This is just one of the many highlights of a Unified Sports basketball game.

On February 13 2012, the Woodland Unified Sports team played Nonnewaug High School and their Unified Sports team in a friendly game of basketball.

Mike Lawrence and his fellow teammates played their best and had fun. “I think we did wonderful. Both teams tried their best,” said Peer Buddy Caroline Ecke, expressing her feelings on the game that day.

In the end, Nonnewaug took the win of 46 to 34, but in this organization it’s not about who wins or loses as long as the kids have fun.

One of Woodland’s stars, Kevin Johnson explains why he plays on the team, “I like playing basketball and hanging out with my buddies, like Caroline,” says Johnson.

This team’s coach is George Meyers. He was offered the position of coach and leader of Unified Sports and he was very interested.

He’s been doing it for a few years now and has loved every second of it. “I came into it not knowing a thing about basketball,” said Meyers, “However, Now I have the time of my life.”