BOISE, Idaho — A basketball court with people filling the stands is a momentous and exciting time for any basketball player. With every point drained and the crowd roars with cheer, the anticipation to see who will emerge as the victor will have everyone in a filled house at the edge of their seats.
But for one annual basketball tournament, the outcome of the game didn't matter, only to allow athletes of all abilities to share in the excitement of scoring a basket.
Skyview High School hosted the Special Olympics Unified Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 14, for five-man basketball teams from four Treasure Valley schools. The teams were comprised of three special education students and two general education students.
The games were scheduled every 20 minutes and began at 9:40 a.m., and the stands were filled with students cheering the students and parents soaking up every moment.
Christine Harper, the mother of a player, was cheering the teams on.
"It doesn't matter the points," she said. "They're just having a blast, and everyone gets to play. It's wonderful."
Another parent said, "As they left the court, he looked over at us and said Mom and Dad, I just did it. Did you see that?"
The whole gym was packed holding a rowdy student section’s attention. Two athletes on Columbia's team said it was because of, "the threes."
The games played to a relaxed set of rules; officials didn't stop play and allowed 'hockey style' substitutions. Also, two general education students organized the floor to allow the special education students make plays.
Teams were comprised of students from Columbia High School, Skyview High School, Middleton High School and Ridgeview High School
The basketball tournament ended roughly around noon, which is short compared to the lifetime of memories made on the court that day.
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