In a high school gym, the sounds are familiar – balls bouncing, high tops squeaking on the court and teammates cheering. 

But unified basketball is not just a game; it’s a space where students of all abilities come together as teammates, playing together on the floor to build friendships, confidence and community through sports. The focus isn’t only on winning, it’s on inclusion, sportsmanship and connection.

At Woods Cross High, the spirit carried all the way to the biggest moment of the season, the state championship. In a close match every minute of the game, the Wildcats were tied with Spanish Fork High in regulation and at the end of overtime.

In the double overtime, the first basket wins the game – and the Wildcats didn’t disappoint the loud crowd of fans at the Delta Center as they were bringing home the trophy to their hometown fans.

While the opportunity to play at the state championship was exciting, the players say playing unified basketball is more than a title.

Across Utah, with more than 250 Utah high school unified teams, other players emphasize the game has given them friendship, growth and joy.

Jordan High also won a state title in its division, beating Highland High.

Jordan senior Alejandro Beltran Lopez plays with pride and purpose.

“I want to continue my dad’s legacy in playing sports,” he said. “He taught me a little and coach taught me more; Dad’s happy for me.”

Beltran Lopez said unified sports helped pave friendships with his teammates, from eating lunch together to watching the movie, “Elf.”

“We’ve had others at school support us too,” he said. “Unified soccer was fun; we wanted to beat Bingham at state championship (played at America First Field last fall), but it’s OK we lost because being a good sport means accepting defeat.”

His teammate, junior and peer tutor Sawyer Herzog, unified sports extends beyond the court.

“I love this,” he said. “We’ve become friends and I probably wouldn’t have met him if not. We’ve become genuine friends. We hang out, doing puzzles, watching Switch TV, talking, I help with math and ELA (English Language Arts). My whole family loves him.”

At Alta High, senior and peer leadership team member Macey Rockwood sees unified sports as something bigger.

“The goal of PLT is to make the community better, so through unified sports, we can support them,” she said. “Everyone deserves a community.”

Rockwood has refereed and ran the score table at unified tournaments and enjoys helping others succeed.

“It’s satisfying to help others have fun and have a sense of accomplishment,” she said.

For players like Corner Canyon sophomore Mia Lems, the competition still matters, but so does kindness.

“I like to take down the other team,” she said. “I’ve made friends with other teams too. I like to give them handshakes and clap and give high-5s for making good shots.”

Corner Canyon finished as state runners-up in their division at the state championship.

Lems’ teammate, senior Fisher Ghiz, didn’t realize how much unified basketball would change him.

“It has taught me patience; it has taught me how to make friends with those different than me,” Ghiz said. “I used to be shy, but they’re so social, I’ve become more outward. This is awesome. I want to keep playing in college.”

Across more than 250 Utah high school unified teams, other players emphasize the game has given them friendship, growth and joy.

At Hunter High, senior Maelie Jorgensen loves “the good environment where everyone has fun playing and being together” while teammate sophomore Bentley Wright said the teammates’ friendships stretch into lunch tables and school dances. On the court, Wright, like Granger High’s freshman Jhanpeer Macha Dias, loves the celebration after a basket that comes with dance moves and cheers. 

Hunter High also played at the state championships, beating Olympus High in its division. Skyline High also finished second at state in its division.

Murray High’s Parker May loves the game, especially shooting the ball, and playing with friends while teammate senior Hayden Gardner added he loves the confidence his teammates have gained over the season. 

Murray High senior Ethan Teusher added: “There is simple joy in spending time together whether we’re playing basketball or a game of Uno.”

Nearby Copper Hills High finished second in its division at state while Herriman High won its division for the state title.

After West Jordan senior Robert West said he hoped his team would practice more early in the season, the Jaguars finished second at state in its division.

West Jordan senior Colton Reid refereed unified basketball last year, but decided to participate this year.  

“It’s the greatest thing and something I didn’t want to miss out on,” Reid said. “I’ve made some good friends and great memories playing unified basketball.”