Unified sports teams from Edison and Indian Creek, pictured here at a previous event, will tip off in a basketball game on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Richmond, which will be Edison’s first time holding court. Unified sports promotes inclusion as well as fun in athletics, and students and cheerleaders from both schools will be on hand in addition to the players’ families and the EHS Pep Band. (Photo provided)

RICHMOND – Edison and Indian Creek will face off in a rematch at their upcoming unified sports basketball game on Thursday.

Edison will host its first such event in the school gym in Richmond at 10:30 a.m. where students and players’ family members can view sportsmanship in action. Unified sports combine general students and pupils with developmental and intellectual needs in blended teams to promote inclusion and understanding as well as have fun with athletics.

Jason Sronce serves as school unified sports coordinator at Edison with district Special Education Director Christina Henderson also being involved, and officials said they were looking forward to the matchup because it gives their kids a chance to showcase their skills on the court. Henderson said players included Wesley Kimmerle, Braxton Antill, Jaidyn Carlson, Kaden Eddy, James Bonecutter, Olivia Ault, and Brennan Butcher while members of the school’s Student Leadership Council were also participating as coaches.

“The student body will attend and it is open to the families of the athletes,” she added, saying the school program has definitely evolved over the past few years. “We started with hosting a track meet and attended basketball and flag football games hosted by Indian Creek. This will be the first unified sports basketball game that we will host and we are researching the possibility of adding additional sports.”

Both sides will have plenty of support from cheerleaders and student body members while players’ families were also invited to attend, plus the EHS Pep Band will perform before the game.

Indian Creek Unified Sports Coordinator Amber Scott said her team has also been practicing for the matchup.

“[Co-Captains] Brayden Stewart and Kaleb Mannion have taken on leadership roles and the team goes to practice during the first flex period,” Scott added. “It’s nice that they take the initiative. You see the responsibility and leadership and it will help those kids become better adults.”

The ICHS team also includes Alex Fabian, Misha Amis, Paxson Gorby, Colton Dawson, Franco Barcalow, Parker Heath, Dylan Romanyak, Quinn Ujcich, Sawyer Pietro, Landon Cullen, Zach Bigio, Jabari White, and Michael Campanna. Scott said the events promote community and build camaraderie, something she hopes will continue far into the future.

Jefferson County Unified Sports Coordinator Tom Mort said Edison was initially set to play Buckeye Local and plans changed, but Indian Creek stepped in for a game.

“Amber Scott got the kids together and Christina Henderson was thrilled because they had everything in place, and hopefully they can make a return trip to Creek,” Mort said, adding that the program builds camaraderie amongst the youth. “It promotes unity with our special needs and general education students, breaks down barriers, and promotes acceptance.”

Indian Creek, Edison and Buckeye Local plan to square off again this spring while ICHS is eying another basketball game with Buckeye Local in March.