by Allie Fritchel
The Unity Basketball game has been bringing Point Loma High students together for six years. The Unity Game is an exceptional event that gives special needs students the spotlight to shine and be cheered on by the community. The 2023 game took place Friday, March 16th in the high school’s gymnasium. In the two weeks leading up to the game, students dedicated their lunch time to coach and guide our special needs players on the game of basketball. The game consisted of two Point Loma teams, one maroon team and one gold team. Each team had representatives from the school’s men and women’s basketball team that helped structure the game. Students, staff members, and parents of the community were all welcomed to cheer on the players from the stands, and the turnout did not disappoint.
Point Loma junior Jason Green, one of the stars of the game, said afterwards, “My dream was to play in a basketball game and to become a basketball player. My idol is LeBron James.”
This event was made possible by an amazing team of Point Loma staff members, including Athletic Director Manuel Diaz and head basketball coach Josh Aros. Our student basketball representatives also played a large role in coaching, guiding, and cheering along our players, along with the club Circle of Friends, which has been working with our special needs students since the start of the school year. Our ASB student body, along with the Choose Kindness Movement, created posters for the players and distributed them to fans in the audience. However, Point Loma’s most important contribution was our players, who participated in acts of teamwork and courage on and off the court.