By Abby Williamson – Staff Reporter

Law’s Unified Sports team hosted a basketball tournament on January 28. 

Law played against four other Unified Sports teams – Amity, Foran, Bassick and Lyman Hall – in multiple games of basketball.

“We played basketball games with our friends,” Unified Sports athlete Atul Joseph said. “It was fun.”

The Unified Sports team will continue to practice every Thursday up until March 3.

Their next tournament is on February 22 at the New Haven Athletic Center followed by another tournament March 10 at Bunnell High School.

Many people including friends, family and teachers came out to support Law’s Unified Sports team, which is directed by special education teacher Mrs. Daniels. One person who made an appearance was Ms. Andrews, a teacher of a few of the athletes.

“Our kids played fantastic,” Andrews said. “They had great sportsmanship and were great at sharing the ball.”

Because Andrews has such a close relationship with the athletes on Law’s Unified Sports team, she was proud to see her students enjoy themselves by making baskets with their friends from all the different teams.

“It was really fun, the energy was great and everyone was really excited and supportive,” junior spectator Sydney King said. “It was less about the score and more about cheering each other on and our team did amazing.”

Given the energy of everyone on and off the court, the game was an exciting atmosphere for everyone who attended.

“The tournament was fun, I’m a partner  so helping the athletes was a lot of fun,” junior partner Jessica Villa said. “Helping out and shooting baskets with them was exciting.”

The athletes not only enjoyed playing with their team, they had fun playing with all three other schools, and they showed lots of good sportsmanship.

“They were giving highfives, they were saying ‘good job’ to their other friends, especially their Foran friends,” Andrews said. “When the other teams scored, they clapped.”

The game was not about winning, how many points they made, or which team was doing better, but about how all of Law’s athletes recognized how well they did playing basketball and sharing the ball with the other team.

“I [shot] a lot of baskets,” Unified Sports athlete Luigi DeCastro said. “I cheered for the teammates.”

Unified Sports athlete Jen Gill said that what she and her friends most enjoyed about the game was having a good time.

“I had fun at the tournament,” Gill said. “I would do it again.”

After the game, pizza was provided to the athletes which they really enjoyed.

DeCastro said besides cheering on the other team, eating pizza was his favorite part of the game.