Schools
Project Unify Wins States
Brighton's Unified basketball team took home the win for the state finals competition on February 24, 2018.
By: Kaylyn Gregg
About 40 students were bussed to Kalamazoo. Brighton hosted a farewell to them in downtown Brighton as friends and family waved them good luck as the team was escorted by police to their competition.
They competed at Western Michigan University where they were joined with more than 600 athletes from all over Michigan.
Brighton Unified is coached by Special Education and LINK program teacher Jody Renicker, along with Lisa Johnson and John Krayer.
Brighton’s team played 14 interleague games and finished States earning a gold medal by edging out the Area 22 Blue Jays 18-16 in the finals.
This team had a very successful season with the season record being 11-3. They only lost to Belleville and then Grand Blanc twice.
Project Unify is a special Olympics team that combines special education kids from the school with a few of Brightons link students as they form a sports team. Project Unify has teams all over Michigan from different schools. It is divided into 10 divisions based on competitiveness of the team.
Brighton has been involved with project unify for 2 years now. It can involve many sports. At BHS project unify includes sports like basketball and in the spring, bocce ball. The school will also be adding flag football this upcoming fall.
Project Unify is an amazing program that not only helps improve the sportsmanship and athletic drive for the students on the team but also spreads kindness and builds friendships throughout the entire school.
Sophomore Unified Basketball teammate, Amy Jamie, explains she loved her experience being a part of the team.
“My favorite part of the season was going to finals and seeing how hard everyone worked and watching them improve each game,” Jamie said.
Freshman Unified Basketball teammate, Troy Maynor, enjoyed the season very much. His favorite part of the season was playing with his friends and helping them out throughout the season.
“My favorite memory from the season was going to states with my friends,” Maynor said.
Brighton’s Athletic Director, John Thompson, helped develop a KLAA unified league that includes Brighton, Novi, Northville, Grand Blanc, Hartland, and Belleville.
“I was so proud to see how well the kids worked together and how they improved in basketball over the course of the season I really couldn’t be prouder,” Renicker said.
Unified Sports joins people with and without disabilities on the same team for students to train and play together as it is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Brighton Unified is open to all BHS students grades 9-12. Get involved and play unified!