The Greeley West unified basketball team has made history, securing a spot in the state championship after a thrilling season filled with determination, hard work, and support.
Unified basketball, a program that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, focuses on inclusivity, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The Greeley West team has embraced these values all season, proving that success is measured not just in wins, but in the bonds formed on and off the court.
“It’s a very competitive sport, and sportsmanship is a huge part of that which we have done a really good job of doing,” assistant coach A.J. Johnson said.
Johnson mentioned that the team is so big that they had to split into two teams for regionals because unified basketball is such a big deal.
The community has rallied behind the team, with parents and many others planning to attend the state tournament in full force and it is inspiring to see how much this means to them. Win or lose they have already made the school proud.
“My best friend on the team is Hayden (Atchley) because she is nice,” said senior Nevaeh White.
The state game will take place on March 7 at Gold Crown in Denver. Regardless of the outcome, this team has already proven that true victory lies in unity, determination, and heart.
“They are more than capable of anything and they are real people. They should be treated the same as everybody else,” said sophomore partner Hayden Atchley.
