In July, the the West Albany unified basketball team took second place in the first annual Unified Basketball State Championships.
The tournament was sponsored by the Oregon School Activities Association and the Oregon Special Olympics. Teams from around the state earned a spot at state after competing in regional competitions last spring.
Alix Wasteney, Director of School Engagement for Special Olympics of Oregon, issued the following statement:
This year Special Olympics Oregon and Oregon School Activities Association made history by holding the first annual Unified Basketball State Championship in conjunction with the OSAA 4A State Basketball Championships. This was the first time inclusive Special Olympics Unified basketball teams were included and recognized at State Championships in Oregon.
Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train and compete together.
Congratulations to all four teams that competed and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and skills!
The top four teams were
- 1st place: Forest Grove Vikings
- 2nd place: West Albany Bulldogs
- 3rd place: Bend Lava Bears
- 4th place: Wilson Trojans