Unified teams hit the court for annual hoops game

Community Sports

6 - Mukilteo Beacon

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March 6, 2019

Unified teams hit the court for annual hoops gameKamiak qualify

Knights, Marauders enjoy the opportunity to show off their basketball skills

BY DAVID PAN REPORTER @ YOURBEACON . NET

T

he third annual Unified Basketball game between Kamiak and Mariner featured fast break lay-ups, 3-point shots and tough defense.

But most importantly, a good time was had by all – players, coaches, fans – at the Tuesday, Feb. 26 event at Kamiak High School.

In Unified Basketball, Special Olympics athletes or students with special needs are paired up with Unified Partners or student peers. Each Unified Basketball team consists of three Special Olympics athletes and two partners.

Kamiak’s Kurt Hardy joined the Unified team this season after helping to manage the boys basketball team last year.

The sophomore enjoyed getting out on the court with his teammates against the Marauders.

“It went really well,” he said.

“We are very competitive and we have a lot of heart. We play hard. We support each other.

But most of all we have a lot of fun.”

Mariner junior Ashley Scheuerman became involved in Unified Sports two years ago, initially providing support to the program. This is her first year as a player.

Scheuerman was out on the court helping teammate Ethan Wood.

“I motivate him a little bit,” Scheuerman said.

Mariner coach Austin Richard noted that some of the athletes get help from partners.

“There are partners who are there to assist kids who maybe need a little extra support on the court,” Richard sad. “They (partners) are not allowed to touch the ball, but they help them transition from offense to defense.”

Scheuerman has become friends with Wood.

“He’s probably one of the smartest kids I’ve met,” Scheuerman said. “He uses his talking iPad to communicate with you and he understands a lot. He’s super caring and super loving.” see

UNIFIED page 7 u

The Kamiak Knights fift Knights (9-3) earned the League. Kamiak will be Parker, Ashlyn Hammon Lauren McNulty, Claire Mariner’s Johnathan Weaver guards Kamiak’s Landen Tennis during the annual Unified Basketball contest.

Beacon photos by David Pan Mariner’s Ashley Scheuerman (left) points out the basket to teammate Ethan Wood during the annual Unified Basketball game against Kamiak Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Kamiak High School. The Knights won 59-52.

The Kamiak Knights sev King Junior Basketball Terrace in the champio Basketball Championsh (left to right) - Andrew Kareem Sy, Alex Lundq Kamiak’s Andrew Bishop (left) celebrates scoring a basket with teammate coach Isaac Robinson, Kara Toves during the Feb. 26 game at Kamiak High School.

Photo courtesy of Georgia McClaskey The Kamiak Unified Basketball team finished second in Division 1 at the State Tournament/Winter Games Saturday, March 2 in Wenatchee.

Photo courtesy of Austin Richard The Mariner Unified Basketball team placed sixth in Division 2 at the State Tournament/Winter Games Saturday March 2, in Wenatchee.

MARINER

Athlete of the Week Mariner’s Athlete of the Week goes to Simon Fanuel. Simon had a big week helping lead Mariner basketball to our first state tournament in 10 years. He hit some big shots down the stretch that gave us an opportunity to seal the game. He finished the game with 11 points. Simon not only helped lead his team to state this year, he is also an excellent student in the classroom who attends running start. He is a leader on and off the court and is a great teammate.

425-374-8218 Is proud to recognize outstanding students in our community.

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Simon Fanuel Boys Basketball

Community Sports Kamiak youth basketball teams qualify for state tournaments March 6, 2019

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Beacon photo by David Pan Photo courtesy of Megan Parker The Kamiak Knights fifth-grade girls basketball team has qualified for the state tournament. The Knights (9-3) earned the state berth with a third place finish in the Puget Sound Cascade Traveling League. Kamiak will be headed to Spokane on March 15-17 for state. Team members are: Brooklyn Parker, Ashlyn Hammons, Gabby Villareal, Marin Higgins, Devin Semeraro, Kim Beard, Mia Semith, Lauren McNulty, Claire Mayer, Meilin Overturf. The coaches are Megan Parker and Joe Semith.

Photo courtesy of Al McNeal The Kamiak Knights seventh grade boys basketball feeder team won the Captain T’s Martin Luther King Junior Basketball Invite championship in Port Angeles. The Knights defeated Mountlake Terrace in the championship game. The victory qualified Kamiak for the Middle School State Basketball Championship tournament in Spokane in March. The Kamiak Knights are: back row (left to right) - Andrew Kim, Boaz Lien, Nassiah Jackson, head coach Al McNeal, Brandon Bays, Kareem Sy, Alex Lundquist, William Turner; front row - Elijah Pierre, Geoffrey Keleb Jr., assistant coach Isaac Robinson, Daniel Shubert, Dylan Park, David Zieve.

WIAA approves two amendments

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The maximum a school’s enrollment can be adjusted will be capped at 40 percent and schools will be allowed to move down only one classification.

The other amendment will change the even distribution of schools into classifications and institute enrollment parameters for each of the six classifications. The amendment will have no bearing on a school’s choice to opt-up in classification.

In addition, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board has selected Mick Hoffman as the next Executive Director of the Association.

u from UNIFIED page 6 Being involved in Unified Sports has had a major impact on Scheuerman.

“I’ve learned to definitely be patient and always to look on the bright side of things,” she said.

Her advice to those who have an interest in Unified Sports – do it.

“Definitely take a step and try it,” Scheuerman said. “It’s a lot of fun and you’ll learn a lot.”

Kamiak coach Georgia McClaskey said that Tuesday’s game is important because it opens students’ eyes.

“This night is for them to kind of see – wow. I want to be a part of that,” McClaskey said. “They see the relationships and the connection and the spirit that comes out. I’ve probably had 10 partners come up to me the next day after school of this game every year and say, ‘how do I become a part of this?’

That’s why we do this.”

The Kamiak and Mariner Unified Sports programs continue to grow.

Mariner has about 25 athletes out, while Kamiak has 35. Kamiak started its Unified Sports program four years ago, while Mariner is in its third year.

The Knights now have three assistant coaches and two volunteers.

“It takes a village to do this,” McClaskey said.

Before the Knights took to the court,

MAR. 9: 10:00 a.m.

MAR. 16: 1:00 p.m.

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STATE RUNNER-UP: Kamiak took second place in Division 1 at the Unified Basketball state championships Saturday, March 2, at the Special Olympics Winter Games in Wenatchee. Alicia Anderson hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer in the quarterfinals and Kurt Hardy scored 16 points to lead the Knights to a semifinal win. Austin Kim had a team-high 17 points in the championship game. Mariner took sixth place in Division 2 play.

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they talked about what Unified Sports meant to them.

“The three words that came up were heart, inclusion and dedication,” McClaskey said. “I said those are three words that we have to model and show our school, our community what that means.

“I was just so proud of how they did that. We shared the ball, We got people shots. We celebrated every little thing and that’s what this night is about.”

Between the 1st - 10th of each month

KAMIAK

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Representative Assembly voted to approve two amendments regarding the Association’s classification system beginning with the 2020-21 school year.

One amendment will use free and reduced lunch data as reported to the Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction to determine the adjusted enrollment for 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A schools. A school with a free and reduced lunch rate greater than the statewide average will have its enrollment reduced for each percent that it exceeds the statewide average.

Kamiak’s Raymond Johnson is greeted by his teammates during the player introductions at the annual Unified Basketball game against Mariner Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Kamiak High School.

Unified Basketball pair Kurt Hardy and Alicia Anderson had a strong showing at the Unified State Basketball tournament. Alicia Anderson scored the buzzer beater to advance us to the semi-finals. Her strong defense gave the team the extra momentum needed to make stops and proceed to the championships. Kurt Hardy held it down on the offensive end by scoring 16 points and getting offensive rebounds giving his team second chance opportunities.

Both of their efforts led the team to a 2nd place finish in the State Unified Basketball Tournament.

Kurt Hardy

Alicia Anderson

Unified Basketball

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