The new Huntington High School Unified basketball team will play its first home game today in the J. Taylor Finley Middle School gym at 4:45 p.m. The Blue Devils host John H. Glenn.
The contest is being played at Finley because the high school gym is unavailable due to the budget vote and trustee election and the art show and fashion show. The rest of the home schedule will utilize the high school’s Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
Unified basketball is a varsity sport that features Special Olympians paired with general education students who serve as teammates and assistants on the co-ed rosters
Huntington is coached by Finley physical education teacher Jordan Ioviero. He is being assisted by district special education chair Linda Costello Roth and several teacher aides.
The Blue Devil roster includes Danny McClellan, Jake Cordes, Camilla D’Anna, Alisha Harvey, Maria Verfenstein, Sebastien Romero, Greg Nielsen-Goldstein, Nicholas Smalling, Ella Ackerman, Emerson Evans, Yanira Rivera, Tyler Peck and Alexander Morris. The Special Olympians on the team will take leadership roles.
Huntington dropped its season opener at Commack last week, 60-56. The Blue Devils took a 26-22 lead into halftime, but were unable to hold on. “The players had a great time,” Ioviero said. Greg Goldstein made a couple of threes and led us in scoring. Almost every player on the team scored. It was a great experience for the kids. I am so proud of them.”
District resident Darin Reed was among those in the crowd at the game. “It was terrific,” he said. “The kids had a blast.”
Participation in the Unified Sports program is “rooted in the principle of meaningful involvement which ensures that every player is given an opportunity to contribute to the success of his or her team through their unique skills,” according to NYSPHSAA. “Inclusive activity is among the most conducive ways to break down stereotypes and foster relationships.”
Away contests will be held at Half Hollow Hills West (May 19) and Northport (May 24) at 5 p.m. on both dates. Home games are set for the high school gym against Half Hollow Hills East (May 26) and Kings Park (May 31) with tipoff both days at 4 p.m.
For more information about the Blue Devils’ Unified program send a message to Coach Ioviero at jioviero@hufsd.edu.
