Prairie High Schools 2024-2025 unified basketball season begins, hoping to create a big crowd hosting districts this year.
With the season starting, many players and coaches look forward to what this season may hold. During regular season play, the Falcons will face, LaCenter, Heritage, and Ridgefield, after winning silver medals last year at districts.
Unified sports are played with both players and their partners. Coach Donna Eskelson-Smith who has coached the past nine seasons here at Prairie, shares why she enjoys coaching.
“The inclusion. Our team is made up of students with and without intellectual disabilities and the best part about it is the inclusive piece and how we have our family and our communities that Prairie represents as a part of winning the national banner last year.”
Last year Prairie was recognized by the Special Olympics, demonstrating excellence in meeting all the standards. Which led them to receive a national banner of recognition, that you can find hung in Prairies gym, The Nest.
“It quite literally unifies the people, it gives some the chance to play the sport they love, and people like me, the partners, get to help them achieve that dream,” Senior, Judah Bullock said.
Prairie is the host this season for districts, hosting 13 teams, on Feb. 8, 2025. With the goal to get as many people to come to cheer them on. Help from of the whole pep band, cheer team, and concessions.
“Just come out, support them, I’m hoping that all of the Falcons come and watch them play, I know it’s going to be huge,” Eskelson-Smith says.
In hopes of winning districts and making it to state this season, one player, senior, Teasun Dever, shares how it makes him feel when people come to watch and support him and his team.
“Awesome.”
