REMATCH — The Indian Creek High School unified sports team will face a rematch against the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office during a March Gladness basketball game on March 27 at 1:50 p.m. in the school gym. Unified sports combine general pupils and students with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and the Creek team is pictured with the deputies when they previously squared off in 2024. -- Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek High School’s unified sports team plans to lay down the law against the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in friendly basketball game on March 27.

Unified sports combine general pupils and students with developmental and intellectual needs, and the game is set for 1:50 p.m. in the ICHS gym. It will be the second time the high school team has challenged the deputies since 2024, when Indian Creek edged out the safety forces by a final score of 44-37. Students and the athletes’ families will attend to cheer them on while Jefferson County Unified Sports Coordinator Tom Mort said the goal is to promote “March Gladness.”

“This is a fun twist on the NCAA’s March Madness. Instead of the high-stakes pressure of that tournament, this game focuses on fun, school spirit, and inclusion,” Mort added. “The purpose is to strengthen community relationships and give the students the unique experience of competing against the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. has continued his father’s legacy of child advocacy, and this is an opportunity to see these advocates in a fun atmosphere. I know our unified athletes welcome that opportunity and are really looking forward to competing against [school resource officer] Deputy Matt Morgan.”

Indian Creek’s first unified basketball game was against the JCSO and organizers said it was a wonderful experience they looked forward to having once again.

“Thanks to Deputy Matt and our wonderful student leaders, we have been practicing lot. The deputies are not going to be ready for the heat our captain, Kaleb Mannion, will bring,” Mort chided. “We feel great about the opportunity to host this event and all of the positivity surrounding the game.”

Indian Creek Unified Sports Coordinator Amber Scott echoed those remarks, saying her team has been playfully taunting Deputy Morgan and prepping for the rematch with practice sessions.

“The game is to bring the students, the unified sports athletes, and law enforcement together,” Scott said. “A couple of players are already harassing Deputy Morgan about beating him and taking him to the basket, and they practice every day during flex. I am excited because this game will bring a positive vibe throughout the school before spring break. My students have been talking about it nonstop.”

Even Sheriff Abdalla was up for some playful bantering, saying his deputies were getting ready for the matchup.

“We’re taking the rematch seriously,” he said, joking that the deputies were practicing their 3-pointers. “The black shirts from the sheriff’s office will come into Indian Creek High School ready to win this time around. We’re looking forward to a victory.”

He said they were glad to be a part of March Gladness and a positive influence for the youth.

“Anything we can do to offer our support because it has a huge impact on the kids playing on that court. By seeing this, I hope other schools step up,” he concluded. “Inclusion is what we want.”