POINT LOMA – Point Loma High’s Sam Ntomp, proudly wearing a maroon number 25 varsity game jersey, dribbled the basketball deftly up court through opponents and sank a two-point shot to open the game.
Immediately, he leaped in the air and yelled “Boom!” as he landed.
“I feel like I just won a million dollars!” said Ntomp, a senior playing in his final Unity Game.
A crowd of more than 500 Pointer students also shouted “Boom!” and erupted in cheers as the ninth annual Unity Game tipped off last week in Lee Trepanier Gym on the school’s campus.
This unique night, now a Point Loma High tradition, allows many of the school’s disabled students to reverse roles and become the stars of a basketball game in front of a large and vocal crowd.
The popular event began when a former Pointer athletic director picked up the idea at a conference and brought it back to campus. Teachers and administrators loved the idea, and the series began.
Freshman Emme Lester is all smiles as she receives her souvenir medal after competing for the Maroon team in the Point Loma Unity Game last week. (Photo by Scott Hopkins/Special for Times of San Diego) Senior Sam Ntomp runs onto the court through a line of Pointer cheerleaders during pre-game introductions. (Photo by Scott Hopkins/Special for Times of San Diego) Gabby Leyva cherishes the moment as he attempts a shot during Point Loma High’s recent Unity Game. (Photo by Scott Hopkins/Special for Times of San Diego)Much has changed as the event has evolved. This year, every unity player was offered a chance to enter the court to a walk-out song while being introduced by art teacher and announcer Sean Wells. For junior Ashton Job, it was Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and for sophomore Frank Cleaver, it was “Big Guy” from the SpongeBob film.
Alums and former Unity Game players Jason Green and JP Rios were on hand as honorary coaches of the Maroon and White teams, respectively.
Eleven current boys and girls varsity players took turns on the court to distribute the ball to players who had not yet scored.
By game’s end, every unity player had scored. The game ended in a crowd-pleasing 30-30 tie.
Following the game, each unity player received a souvenir medal, placed over their head by Green and Rios, as proud parents, some teary-eyed, snapped photos.
Pointer athletic director Manny Diaz Jr. noted the Pointer unity teams will be traveling to Poway for a Feb. 12 game to help the Titans establish a similar tradition.
Special Olympics will provide uniforms for the Pointers’ players.
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