A Lebanon player dribbles determinedly down the basketball court as opponents run up to swat at the ball.
She pulls up under her team’s basket and takes a shot, which flies in a nice, smooth arc – right into the mesh. Two points for the Warriors.
This game, in Sweet Home, is a typical high school basketball game in many ways. There’s a big, enthusiastic crowd. Referees in striped shirts. Cheerleaders line the far sideline across from the benches, which are full of athletes wearing the two schools’ uniforms. There’s a mascot.
But there are differences as well. One player is in a motorized wheelchair. He “dribbles” by rolling down the court, a teammate riding on the back of the chair to make sure it goes where it is supposed to, with the ball in a plastic tub attached to the machine. When they arrive in the key, in front of their basket, the teammate takes the shot.
These are members of Lebanon High School’s Unified team, a combination of varsity basketball players and special-needs students who play a six-game schedule this season.
They also play two tournaments, each including approximately three games.
“I think it’s amazing, because we get our special education students and our general education students – everyone is just working together,” said team coach Sheridan Echternach, a special education teacher who has been at the high school for three years and took over the Unified team this year.
Echternach, who played basketball herself until an injury ended her career, said she loves the program.
“It’s just a really nice thing to see that unified team and everyone just feels included,” she said. “Everyone gets a chance to feel like they are contributing to the team.”
Principal Craig Swanson said the Unified team’s home games have drawn large crowds.
“There’s been great attendance from the student body and staff,” he said.
Lebanon has had a Unified team for several years, Athletic Director Kraig Hoene said. So do many other Mid-Valley schools.
“I think a lot of these kids have the ability to be involved in something,” Hoene said, noting that there is real athletic talent among the special education students.
This year’s Warriors team is “massive” compared to last year’s, Echternach said. This year’s Warriors number some 30 players, about a third of them regular varsity basketball players, who don’t take shots but assist in getting the ball to their teammates when necessary.
The growth in the program is because “everyone loved it last year,” Echternach said.
Practices often take place during classes, which allows more players to participate, she said.
“They were like, ‘Oh, we love this. So our team just got big real quick.”
Some of the disabled athletes have “shocked” her with their ability on the court, Echternach said.
“They are amazing athletes.”
Typically, she said, the team is made up of three “players” and two “partners” who are on the floor together.
Parents, some of whose kids have been involved in the program for multiple years, “love coming to the games,” she said.
“I think the most exciting part for them is coming to watch their athletes play. They’re great advocates for their students. They have great ideas all the time.
“They’re always letting me know, ‘Oh, this is how it was last year.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, that makes sense.’ So they’re great resources as well. They also know their athletes super well.
She said she enjoys seeing “how excited all the students get” to participate.
“We try to make sure everyone has a chance to make a basket, everyone has a chance to dribble the ball down.”
The Warriors will play in a regional tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Oregon State University, and then will host their final home game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, scheduled for 6 p.m. at press time.
Hoene said he enjoys the enthusiasm he sees from other students for the Unified team.
“Our student body does a great job of making it special for them,” he said. “Our cheerleaders usually show up and a lot of times we get the band there for their games.
“It’s fun to have the community rally behind them, support them. It’s a great atmosphere. It really is.”
