Congratulations to the Delaware Valley Terriers (3-1) for winning the Unified Sports Basketball game last night against the Unified Lions (4-3) 50-48 in the final NJSIAA Unified State basketball game of the season in a superb inclusive community event at North Hunterdon High School.
The Terriers exploded onto the court like a supernova, blazing through the first quarter with a 12-8 lead! The crowd was on its feet, buzzing with excitement as the Lions showcased their skills. By halftime, the heat was still on, with the Terriers widening the gap to 28-20. Could the Lions mount a comeback? The third quarter saw the Terriers pull even further ahead, stretching their lead to a commanding 40-30. The energy in the gym was electric!
And then, the final buzzer! The Unified Terriers triumphed over our Unified Lions with a close 50-48 victory! The crowd went wild, celebrating the incredible performance of these talented athletes. But the real story wasn’t just about the score. It was about sportsmanship. In a heartwarming display of unity, several of the Lions and Terrier Unified Peers players stepped up and aided the Unified Athletes throughout the game for both teams, ensuring a balanced and exciting game for everyone. This spirit of camaraderie truly exemplified the meaning of Unified Sports.
Leading the charge for the Lions was the unstoppable “Iron” Malachi Tyson (#31) who dominated the court with a game-high 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals; #24 Sean (Shaq Diesel) Pettegrove, who also dominated the court had 14 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. #6 Jamie (Luck of the Irish) Sullivan and #43 Andrew (Superman) Heaney had 4 points apiece. #9 Bettina (Bat Girl) Manasseri-Castro (#9) showcased her versatility, contributing 2 points for the Lions and #53 Will (The Big Deal) Acosta added 2 points to close the scoring for our Lions.
The Terriers fought valiantly, led by the impressive #10 Robert (Mr. Clutch) McGlotlin who had 18 points. #23 Charlie (Primetime) Bentley showcased many skills by scoring 16 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals. Mikey (Show me the $) Wojcik added 8 points. #15 Tommy (The Mail Man) Bentley, delivered 4 points and 2 steals. #18 Garet (Shake N Bake) Stuve finished the scoring for the Terriers with 4 points.
A huge shout-out to all the coaches and staff who made this incredible NJSIAA Unified Basketball season possible: Unified Lions Head Coach Garrett Lelko, Assistant Coach Chelsey Lindaberry, and Unified Coordinator Michelle Byron, and Unified Terriers Head Coach Daniel Casserly and Unified Coordinator Marianne Gallo. And let’s not forget the high spirited contributions of referee Mark Soltis, athletic trainer Tyler Roseberry, and our scoreboard operator Ellen Anderson.
Get ready for the ultimate showdown! The Unified Basketball season culminates in a thrilling clash between the Unified team and the Lion Pride Staff on Monday, February 24th at 6pm! Last year, the Unified team stunned the staff with a jaw-dropping 100-69 victory. Will they repeat their triumph? Don’t miss this epic battle! Be there to witness the excitement and cheer on your favorite players and staff!
