BEHS unified basketball team claims victory
BY TEYA PHELAN
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A new team was formed at Bonny Eagle High School this winter: the first-ever unified basketball team, coached by Mr. Craig Shappy, the head of the special education department. "It was the first time many of the kids played organized basketball and it was nice to see how they all grew individually as players," said Mr. Shappy.
BEHS was responding to a requirement that all students have an equal opportunity to play sports, and there were 10 willing students eager to play. One of these eager students was junior Amber Randall, who has had much experience with activities of this type before. "Well my brother is special needs so I've always been around these types of kids. They had made a unified team at the middle school and I went to help them with practice. My |
A unified basketball team photo with their coach, Mr. Craig Shappy. For more photos of the team during a recent game, click on the photo.
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brother's teachers asked me if I would help out with a high school unified team and I said yes," said Amber.
The team played schools from all over southern Maine during the winter basketball season. They practiced after school at least twice a week.
“We are the only SMAA school who was able to get enough players for a team,” says Mr. Kyle Hodsdon, Athletic Director at BEHS.
During the regular season, Bonny Eagle almost went unstoppable with a 4-1 record, making fourth place in the Maine Principal's Association Western Maine regional playoffs. During the regular season, Bonny Eagle won some thrilling games, most by less than 5 points. In tournament play, they advanced all the way to the semifinals, but fell short in losing to Brunswick in overtime, 58-55.
“I want to expand the program from basketball to other sports,” says Principal Mr. Paul Penna. “It’s a great opportunity for all students to be recognized.” The purpose of the organization is to help the community, as well as the school by upholding four main values; character, leadership, scholarship, and service.
The team played schools from all over southern Maine during the winter basketball season. They practiced after school at least twice a week.
“We are the only SMAA school who was able to get enough players for a team,” says Mr. Kyle Hodsdon, Athletic Director at BEHS.
During the regular season, Bonny Eagle almost went unstoppable with a 4-1 record, making fourth place in the Maine Principal's Association Western Maine regional playoffs. During the regular season, Bonny Eagle won some thrilling games, most by less than 5 points. In tournament play, they advanced all the way to the semifinals, but fell short in losing to Brunswick in overtime, 58-55.
“I want to expand the program from basketball to other sports,” says Principal Mr. Paul Penna. “It’s a great opportunity for all students to be recognized.” The purpose of the organization is to help the community, as well as the school by upholding four main values; character, leadership, scholarship, and service.