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PHOTO SLIDESHOW: Good game!

Students with special needs rock the basketball court at Elizabeth Middle School

Three players sit with a player mentor at the Second Annual Unified Basketball Game on Feb. 22 at Elizabeth Middle School. The players are, from left: Davis Savage, Kelvin Kaufman and Cole Martens.

Three players sit with a player mentor at the Second Annual Unified Basketball Game on Feb. 22 at Elizabeth Middle School. The players are, from left: Davis Savage, Kelvin Kaufman and Cole Martens.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Unified basketball players gather with some student and staff volunteers.

Unified basketball players gather with some student and staff volunteers.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

#2 Kelvin Kaufman high-fives the referee as he enters the court.

#2 Kelvin Kaufman high-fives the referee as he enters the court.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

An attendee at the unified basketball game attempts a half-court shot in a bid to win $25 at halftime.

An attendee at the unified basketball game attempts a half-court shot in a bid to win $25 at halftime.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen Kyra Doud high-fives #1 Austin Reynolds after the game.

Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen Kyra Doud high-fives #1 Austin Reynolds after the game.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Player mentors line up to greet the unified players as they enter the court in the Elizabeth Middle School gym on Feb. 22.

Player mentors line up to greet the unified players as they enter the court in the Elizabeth Middle School gym on Feb. 22.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Several members of the crowd held up handmade signs to support the unified team players.

Several members of the crowd held up handmade signs to support the unified team players.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Attendees pack the stands in the Elizabeth Middle School gym for the unified basketball game.

Attendees pack the stands in the Elizabeth Middle School gym for the unified basketball game.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

The Elizabeth High School Poms perform at halftime.

The Elizabeth High School Poms perform at halftime.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

A student-run concession booth raised money for the unified basketball program.

A student-run concession booth raised money for the unified basketball program.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Students and audience members create a tunnel for all players to pass through after the game.

Students and audience members create a tunnel for all players to pass through after the game.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

A unified basketball player prepares a practice shot before the game.

A unified basketball player prepares a practice shot before the game.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Staff and volunteers sing the national anthem ahead of the unified basketball game.

Staff and volunteers sing the national anthem ahead of the unified basketball game.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen Kyra Doud awards each player with a medal after the game. Here she places the medal around the neck of #4 Crew Diede.

Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen Kyra Doud awards each player with a medal after the game. Here she places the medal around the neck of #4 Crew Diede.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

#16 Aidan Skidmore runs down the row of player mentors as he enters the court.

#16 Aidan Skidmore runs down the row of player mentors as he enters the court.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

The Elizabeth Middle School band entertains the crowd at the unified basketball game.

The Elizabeth Middle School band entertains the crowd at the unified basketball game.

Photo by Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson

Posted Thursday, March 23, 2023 12:37 pm

Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson
Special to Colorado Community Media

The Second Annual Unified Basketball Game on Feb. 22 at Elizabeth Middle School featured 12 students with unique physical and intellectual disabilities who hit the court after months of practice.

They were accompanied by player mentors, most from Elizabeth High School. The EHS Poms and the EMS band were the entertainment for the game and halftime.

After the game, all players on the Unified Team were presented with medals and certificates of participation by Kyra Doud, the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo queen.

Countless audience members engaged in the “one-dollar-pop-shot” game during halftime. Players paid $1 to attempt a free throw. If successful, they won a soda “pop.” Some others paid $5 to attempt a half-court shot. All proceeds from the halftime games went to the Unified Basketball Program.

“We are very excited that this is our second year for the Unified Basketball game here at Elizabeth Middle School,” said Melanie Barrett, teacher in the EMS Significant Support Needs program. “We are inspired by these students training together and playing together, leading them to a path of friendship and understanding.”

Unified Team Roster

#1 — Austin Reynolds

#2 — Kelvin Kaufman

#4 — Crew Diede

#6 — Aaron Webster

#8 — Cole Martens

#9 — Damian Malsam

#10 — Jon Iwin

#11 — Skiler Brewer

#12 — Corin Kaumeyer

#13 — Zac Celeste

#16 — Aidan Skidmore

#21 — David Savage

Keywords

Elizabeth, unified basketball, Cardinals, Elbert County, Colorado

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