Coach Melyssa Amelio’s unified basketball team had an awesome season this spring, going 3-3 against their opponents.
The unified basketball team is a mix of high school students, both special and general education. At all times, there are at least three special education students on the floor with their general education teammates. Students in the high school’s Life Skills program were eager to compete in this varsity sport along with their volunteer teammates, especially after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
This week, the team celebrated the 2022 season with an ice cream sundae party after school. They were also receiving their varsity letter. Those returning players who already received their letter, got a pin to go on it.
Most of the team attended the party to receive their letters, pins and certificates. They were cheered on by Coach Mel, Interim Superintendent Donna Geidel, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Amy Brockner, Athletic Director Mike Gillespie, and team helpers Julie Salisbury, Marie Tobin and Brian Heller.
Coach Mel, as she is known to the athletes, is not new to coaching by any means. She has been the coach of the highly successful girls’ varsity volleyball team at Pine Bush for 13 years, taking her team to state tournaments. She knows what success is. Coaching unified basketball was success of a different type.
“Having the opportunity to coach unified basketball was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a coach,” said Coach Mel.
How did it come about? The unified basketball team was formed in 2018. For two years, Jim Wright was the coach. Then the pandemic put a stop to things. This year, the team was back on track, but Coach Wright had stepped back from coaching. Mr. Gillespie was talking to Coach Mel about the upcoming volleyball season and mentioned that he was looking for a coach for unified basketball. She knew the program – her son was one of the teammate/volunteers during his junior year. “It is such a wonderful program,” she said. So, she said she would do it!
“The players and teammates showed so much enthusiasm and passion,” said Coach Mel. “There were so many highlights of the season. One of my favorites was when we played Warwick at home. There were 30 seconds left and we were down by one. Andrew stole the ball and scored the winning basket!”
Mr. Gillespie said most of the games were very exciting and close. The athletes agreed!
Today, though, they were savoring their newly-earned varsity letters and some delicious ice cream. They are all looking forward to coming back again to play in 2023! So is Coach Mel.
“It was an honor to be part of such a great program,” she said.
The Incredibly Awesome 2022 Pine Bush Unified Basketball Team
- Anabella Almeida – #23
- Andrew Colon- #24
- Quincy Daniels – #44
- Ciena DeJesus – #55
- Alexis Eidukot – #30
- Emily Higgins – #14
- Monica Ilioiu – #24
- Jesnel Jean – #44
- Madelyn Magsamen – #4
- Patrick Mataraza – #42
- Tomek Oakes – #43
- Anthony Romano – #34
- Austin Varga – #55
- Dwayne Villanoza- #35
The Unified Sports Program is a collaboration between the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics New York. According to the NYSPHSAA website, the three main components of Project Unify are: To combine athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team and contribute their own unique skills; to provide leadership opportunities to students and to provide opportunities for all students to participate in school-wide campaigns and activities.