Prairie Highschool’s Unified Basketball team is a staple in our community here at Prairie. No matter what skills or the capabilities you have, the Unified team offers opportunities for everyone, and strives to create lasting friendships and spread kindness around Prairie Highschool.
The Unified Basketball team here at Prairie is a strong part of our communities foundation, It offers an opportunity for athletes of all levels to come together to play basketball. It started with 1 team with around 12-15 kids but today it has 3 teams with over 30 students who participate. Coach Donna explained, “ It’s changed my whole life, my younger brother is autistic, so that’s why I got involved and it just grew from the there.”This program is a great social inclusion for students with or without intellectual disabilities, it gives students a sense of accomplishment and builds self confidence in those who are involved. The Unified basketball program also participates in fun community activities like Trunk or Treat held here at Prairie or the upcoming winter carnival on December 13th. Sometimes during Falcon Home basketball games Unified will schedule a scrimmage game which includes the whole school.
High hopes arise as the 2025-26 Unified basketball season begins, they had their first practice of the season a couple weeks ago on November 17th and set the standard from the start. Every player showed up ready to play and it showed the level of commitment Prairies Unified Basketball team has. Senior Nobiel Tekeste exclaimed, “ I have a lot of goals, I want to make state this year and make the A team!” He’s set the bar high for himself but Tekeste is a lead by example player so his motives and positive attitude will help his teammates strive.
Following this, the season’s games are set to start January 17th with the first one being held here at Prairie, however there is a scrimmage game happening January 6th which is taking place during halftime of the boys Varsity basketball game. What some people may not know about Unified basketball is that there is a state tournament! This takes place after the league games and offers an opportunity for unified athletes to go win a state championship, as the Falcons fly into the season with new teammates and many new friendships, they hope to have a very successful season and make memories that will last a lifetime.
