Like many other nights, a basketball game was played last week in Point Loma’s newly spruced up Lee Trepanier Gym. But this wasn’t like any other game played there.
As usual, the gym’s new maroon seats were packed with cheering students. Cheerleaders danced to rocking music and players rushed up and down the court. Players hugged and high-fived each other in celebration of good plays.
But this wasn’t just any game. This was Point Loma’s fourth annual Unity Game, an opportunity to celebrate the high school’s special needs students by making them the stars, even if for just one night.
And oh, what stars they were.
The two teams – called simply Maroon and White – were each composed of three varsity boys or girls basketball players and three members of the special needs population. And it wasn’t just a one-night event. The varsity team members have been practicing after their regular sessions for the past two months with their soon-to-be teammates.
The result?
Principal Hans Becker says the game is simply “the best night of the year.”
The idea for the event was brought back from a CIF symposium by athletic director Alex Van Heuven.
“I never expected it to become such a huge event,” Van Heuven said.a
When the special needs students were first approached four years ago, Van Heuven found out some were excited about becoming cheerleaders, so the school’s squad was brought into the event as well.
“Even though we’re not playing another opponent, there’s nothing the school wins, everyone comes back (for the 5:15 p.m. start) to support the students with special needs,” Van Heuven said.”
After warmups, player introductions give the crowd an opportunity to shout as each player is introduced, accompanied by music they have chosen, “anything from rap to Telletubbies,” said vice principal Kelly Lowry. “It allows each student to be in the spotlight. It’s a night when everyone wins.”
The game is refereed by varsity basketball coaches Josh Aros and Curtis Norwood. Senior players act as coaches.
While the game is played with a running clock and score is kept, it is manipulated so each special needs player scores and feels fully involved.
Some varsity players have special connections with the special needs players. 
“I thought it was a great experience,” said senior player Wes Peterson, “especially because one of the kids named Matthew was in fourth grade with me and we’ve grown up together. Getting to coach him on my team was eye-opening and pretty amazing.”
“I think it was the best time of their lives,” Peterson added. “The whole school’s behind them, every one of them is a winner and we’re interacting as we should.”
And the euphoria for the special needs participants doesn’t end with the game’s final whistle.
“The game instills a lot of empathy in our student body,” Van Heuven noted. “For weeks after, students are high-fiving the special needs kids, many of whom are still wearing their jerseys to school. They definitely have a feeling of belonging on campus.”