Unified: Students of varied abilities combine for extraordinary basketball game in Hartland

All lines were blurred in a display of sportsmanship in Hartland Thursday night.

There was traveling. There were double dribbles. There were no fouls. There were no free throws by the typical definition, but plenty of "free" throws made nonetheless. 

There were plenty of cheers for the Hartland home team and for the opponents from Northville, too.

Among the fans were Cindy and Jim Kohli, parents of Jamison, a Hartland High School freshman with Down syndrome.

Jamison and other special education students played alongside their peers thanks to Unified Sports, a Special Olympics program.

“He is my only child, and I have waited forever to sit in the stands and cheer him on,” Cindy Kohli said. “When he was born, I didn’t know what he would be capable of. He has fine motor issues, but he can dribble a basketball.”

“I feel like, when people have children, there are all these great dreams," Kohli added. "You think, 'Someday he will grow up and be on his own and have a job.' When you get the news that he will have different abilities, things change. You don’t know what the future holds or the opportunities, but this opportunity is golden.”

This is the inaugural season for Hartland Unified, which played its first two games against Brighton earlier this month. Other Unified Sports teams in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association are Belleville, Northville, Novi and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

“This is super fun,” said Jason Reck, Hartland Unified coach and Hartland High School assistant principal. “The teammates help each other, they support each other. I’ve never smiled as much as I did when I left the gym last week. It is special and a privilege to be a part of this.”

There are 16 players on the Hartland team. About half are students with special needs, including Down syndrome and autism. Playing alongside them are students who appear to be vying for best assist as they pass the ball to their teammates.

“This is such a positive vibe,” said Jake Gallaher, a Hartland senior who also plays hockey and lacrosse. “It’s not about who makes the shot and who doesn’t, it’s the bond you form playing."

Amanda Maga, a varsity volleyball player, agreed.

“I love hanging out with these kids. There is nothing better,” she said.

Jenifer Thomas said she was grateful her son, Noah, who has autism, had the opportunity to experience the fanfare that comes with being on a high school sports team.

“The whole school embraces this, and it brings tears to my eyes,” Thomas said. “Just being here, they feel like a celebrity. They hear their names called, and they can do something a neurotypical high school student can do without thinking about it.”

As Thomas spoke, Noah ran down the court and made a shot. The crowd erupted, and his mother's grin widened as she cheered and clapped for her son.

“The kids are geeked, and the parents go nuts and vice-versa,” Thomas said. “I guess, with any kid in sports, you see your child excel, and you take pride in their hard work. It’s good to see him function independently without an adult."

For some players, like Jacob Krause who ironically said he likes playing defense, the shots seem to get sunk on the first try. He made six baskets in the game.

For others, the ball never makes it near the hoop. But in every case, shot missed or made, home team or away, the enthusiasm of the fans does not waver nor does that of the players.

Even the referee, Bob Rubin, a 50-year officiant, was smiling.

“The sportsmanship is unparalleled,” he said. “There is no argument about traveling, no fouls, they are just overjoyed with the experience. No one gets mad. I’d like to do this again next week.”

The official score of the game was Northville 30, Hartland 28. No one seemed to care about the final tally. The band played on, and athletes received post-game high fives and hugs.

Jaimie Flores, a Hartland sophomore, is excited for the next Hartland Unified game, Feb. 14.

“I love that I can do this, something I’ve never done,” she said. “I put my heart out, and my friends can see me play. They tell me ‘Great job,’ and they can’t believe I can do that… Sometimes you lose, but that’s OK. Everyone is there for you.”

Contact Susan Bromley at sbromley@livingstondaily.com  Follow on Twitter  @SusanBromley10