Herriman High junior Josilyn Lancaster used to play club basketball until an injury sidelined her. Now, the student-athlete is back on the court — with unified basketball.

“Playing unified is seriously one of the best things that has ever happened to me,” she said. “Unified is a safe place where you can go and have fun. Those kids make your world; they always have a smile on their faces. It’s a positive environment.”

While Herriman’s unified team started with basic drills in January, by tournament play, the players had some intense games.

“Our game against Copper Hills was neck-and-neck the whole time, but it was a lot of fun,” Lancaster said. “Our team experienced what a real game was like, with the fans cheering and a lot of our kids made a bunch of shots. One of our players—he made a three at the buzzer to win it. Everyone just freaked out and our students section went crazy. It was just awesome. There was so much joy and sheer happiness; he couldn’t even come to words. It was cool.”

Lancaster, who is a peer tutor, worked alongside her coach, Jill Ames, last year to bring unified sports to Herriman High. 

“Playing unified is all about the athletes. This is their moment. We want them to feel loved and included and appreciated at our school,” she said. “It’s important that we have a relationship with the unified athletes so there is trust when you pass them the ball and play together. They know we’re there to help them score and succeed and it’s fun when you know them personally.” 

As president of the school’s Make a Difference Club, Lancaster strives to have inclusion in all parts of her school. 

“We want everyone to be involved in lunchtime activities, football and basketball games, and dances, as much as they can so they can have a real high school experience and be included and loved at our school,” she said.

Lancaster also helps students at Kauri Sue Hamilton School with arts and crafts and swimming. 

“I love playing unified and working with people who have disabilities. They have so much light to share with the world. My brother has a disability. So, it’s close to home,” she said, adding that her brother is looking forward to playing on Herriman’s unified team next year.

In unified basketball, each team has five players on the court—three athletes and two unified partners. Teams play against other squads of the same ability in two eight-minute halves. Supported by Special Olympics and the Utah High School Activities Association, unified sports has both a competitive and a player development level, the latter which provides more of a cooperative environment with partners being teammates and mentors. 

UHSAA referee Paul Madsen said he appreciates unified basketball.

“There’s great sportsmanship,” he said. “Everyone is helping each other. It’s wonderful to see.” 

Herriman tied for first in its regional tournament division; however, the team placed third after the tie break, said Courtnie Worthen, Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools manager.

Nearby Mountain Ridge participated in the fun, taking part in the skills challenge in the tournament.

In Utah, involvement in unified high school basketball has skyrocketed. This year, there were the most teams in its history competing to play at state — 73 teams competed for 32 state seeds, Worthen said.

At the March 8 state unified basketball tournament, there were fans and professional teams’ mascots cheering for all the teams. Herriman went on to beat Ben Lomond High to finish fifth at state. 

In addition, Jordan School District was honored with the District of the Year Award for Unified Sports in Utah. 

“I love cheering for our athletes; they make us proud and represent us so well,” said Jordan Education Foundation President Dawn Ramsey, who along with JEF Executive Director Mike Haynes and Jordan District Superintendent Anthony Godfrey accepted the award. “Unified Sports is an incredible program and Jordan District has been a leader in the state as the first to implement a program districtwide. Special Olympics Utah, First Lady Abby Cox with her Show Up initiative, and the Jordan Education Foundation have been wonderful partners in supporting this effort.”

Administrators from several school districts and educational foundations joined the First Lady and Gov. Spencer Cox to support the competition that was held at Weber State University.

Abby Cox said she was proud of everyone in the gym.

“Utah, as a state—we are part of the inclusion revolution,” she told them.

Unified sports engage students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports teams, leading to not only sports skills development and competition, but also inclusion and friendship, Worthen said.

“Unified sports provides social inclusion opportunities for all teammates to build friendships on and off the court,” she said. “The teammates challenge each other to improve their skills and fitness and at the same time, increase positive attitudes and establish friendships and provide a model of inclusion for the entire school community.”

Unified sports, Worthen said, is included in the Unified Champion Schools model, where a unified team is supported by the entire school and there is inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement.

“With schools that embrace the Unified Champion Schools model, they create communities where all students feel welcome and are included in all school activities and opportunities. Students feel socially and emotionally secure, they’re more engaged in the school and feel supported, and are respected,” she said. “It changes school climates.”