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(Submitted photo/ Chris Dumelie)
Hoop dreams

For the love of the game: Carlton team sparks new passion for basketball

Mar 31, 2023 | 3:00 PM

Carlton High School’s Unified basketball team will take the court this weekend at Tommy Douglas Collegiate in Saskatoon for a big tournament.

What makes this league unique is that each team includes a number of Special Olympics athletes. Chris Dumelie is one of several coaches involved, and told paNOW the league provides an opportunity for people who don’t normally participate or are able to participate.

“And they come and they are just as excited as anyone in any division to play and you see the smiles on their faces. It actually feels quite good,” he explained.

The team at Carlton was started 2018, and initially had just six players, which is enough for one team.

“And we’ve now grown to 3 teams,” Dumelie noted.

The tournament format is 3-on-3, and each half court game lasts 20 minutes or until one-team scores 20 points. Line changes occur every two minutes.

A picture taken last year. (Submitted photo/ Chris Dumelie)

Each team must play two Special Olympics athletes and one Unified Partner athlete at all times. The Unified Partners are encouraged to maintain the integrity of the game and make baskets as the game dictates, but to not dominate the play in any way to defeat the intention of Unified Sport.

Kenna Brown-Green is a Grade 10 student, and is in her second season as one of the partner players on the Carlton team. She explained she has made a lot of new friendships and just loves sharing her passion for the game.

“And I like seeing how much they enjoy it. I just think I’m doing a good job at this and hope I’m making their day better,” she said.

On May 13, Carlton High School will host the Unified league provincials.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

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