‘Legacy of inclusion, empowerment’: Weld RE-4 exceeds donation goal for unified sports at city showcase ...Saudi Arabia

The Windsor High School unified basketball team remains undefeated in an annual city showcase against the community all-star team.

The second annual Windsor High School Unified City Showcase on Thursday evening in the Wizards gym invited community members to catch a free, friendly competition while raising money for the unified sports program to ensure “every athlete gets to suit up and shine.”

The need continues to grow for Windsor High School’s Unified Sports — Coach Lori Couch’s “labor of love.”

Couch, who has had three children play in the program, said the financial contributions from the showcase will go toward purchasing new uniforms for its growing team, increasing the number of basketballs past 10, investing in a cage to store balls and getting a device that will assist a visually-impaired student who will join the team next year.

Unified sports does more than teach students how to play basketball, it teaches them the skills needed to tackle a job after graduation, according to Couch. And she has seen this happen to past teammates, many of whom sat on the “opposing bench” on Thursday evening.

“This is about empowering these young men and these women to be able to go out into the world and do so much more,” she added.

Unified high schoolers vs. friendly faces

The Windsor High School unified basketball team held the lead throughout the entire game of four quarters, ending with a final score of 75-60. The team, consisting of high school athletes with and without disabilities, showcased their chemistry on the court from playing together this season, which starts in January and runs until March.

Sophomore Erik Andersen, No. 55, sophomore Brook Montague, No. 1 and freshman Charlie Perez, No. 31 were leaders on the scoreboard for their team.

The team’s seniors also seized the spotlight at the showcase. Senior Caleb Couch scored the first two points of the game, celebrating after with dance moves. Senior Justin Swagerty and senior Evan Van Pelt had a memorable collaboration as Van Pelt passed the ball off the backboard into Swagerty’s hands for a layup toward the end of the game.

Dominic Marquez stole the show with his two baskets in the third quarter, both following with a celebratory strut back to defense — running past the rowdy crowd with his hands held high.

The all-star team, coached by Weld RE-4 Superintendent Michelle Scallon, meshed alumni — many in the Weld RE-4 Exceptional Students in Transition program — with recognizable faces from the community like board of education members, school resource officers, firefighters and more.

The past students, some with nicknames like “the 3-point king,” “the king of hearts,” and “sky high” came ready for a fight. All-star players racked up assists from passing to Blake Clark of Windsor Middle School, who led the team in most points — and underhand shots — scored.

Hunter Schultz, also known as “The Huntsman,” dominated as a team player on defense and offense, accumulating several rebounds, points and great passes. Schultz, a Windsor High School graduate from the class of 2020, also put the all-star team on the board when they were down by six in the first quarter.

Down by 14, the crowd roared for “the rockstar” of the all-stars, Shane Sorrentino, a Windsor High School graduate from the class of 2023, when he sunk a three-point shot in the third quarter to bring the score to 35-24. ​​Even Windsor Mayor Julie Cline had a moment to shine during the fast-paced game, scoring a bucket with 45 seconds on the clock in the second quarter.

“Unified basketball isn’t just a game, it’s a movement,” announcer Bobby Warner said. “It unites athletes with and without disabilities on the same court … proving that teamwork, friendship and inclusion transcend differences. For the competition, it’s about breaking barriers, building lifelong connections and changing perceptions. When players of all abilities compete side by side, the result isn’t just a stronger team, it’s a stronger community.”

The action didn’t stop when the buzzer signaled the end of a quarter at the city showcase. Before the second period, entertainment involved attendees playing a “shoot your shot game,” throwing small balls from their seats into a basket in center court for prizes.

The halftime performance brought out the Windsor High School cheerleading team, who executed their championship-winning routine.

Before the fourth quarter rounded out, Scallon switched her “coach” hat to an “auctioneer” hat to prompt crowd members into raising a goal of $1,000, which the Weld RE-4 Education Foundation agreed to match to cover the costs of additional uniforms in maroon and white. Excitement heightened and tears fell as community members and partners stepped up to donate funds ranging from $50 to $500, including Scallon’s young grandson, who brought forth $500.

Several of the showcase’s sponsors donated to the cause as well, including $500 from the DLR Group, $500 from Huckabee Architects, $1,000 from GH Phipps and $2,000 from France and Pitman. FRW Consult also promised to donate $15 per point, which totaled over $2,000.

“Your support fuels the future of Windsor’s unified sports program, ensuring that athletes of all abilities have opportunities to grow, compete and belong for years to come,” Warner said. “This is more than a donation. It’s a legacy of inclusion and empowerment.”

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