WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek Local School District has two unified sports basketball games planned with matchups set for Friday.

Indian Creek High School will travel to Buckeye Local for the first activity at 10 a.m. while Indian Creek Middle School will host Harding Middle that afternoon in what is being called “March Gladness.” It is the first time for simultaneous events as well as a pairing for athletes in grades 5-8.  The schools are part of Unified Champion Sports of Ohio, and each team combines 12 students with intellectual and physical disabilities with general pupils to promote inclusion in a fun and friendly rivalry.

Amber Scott, an intervention specialist at ICHS, will oversee that team while Lindsay Orr will lead Buckeye Local’s players. Scott said it was a way for students to unite and cheer on their team.

“We play events throughout the year and (district coordinator Tom Mort) will schedule games with local schools,” she added, saying ICHS will also have cheerleaders on hand while the Business Professionals of America members will make signs and attend the game. “I am thrilled to see students come together, challenge themselves and have fun while engaging in these sports. I can’t wait to be part of this positive and exciting experience. Every student, regardless of their background or experience level, has a chance to participate, build confidence and develop friendships.”

She continued that since March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, it was a fitting way to promote awareness and inclusion.

Meanwhile, the March Gladness matchups continue as ICMS and Harding teams face off at the Mingo Junction school at 12:30 p.m. Tom Mort at Indian Creek and Mario Constantini of Steubenville City Schools are spearheading those festivities.

“This is the first middle school game for Jefferson County,” Mort said. “Our entire student body will be there. We’ve been taking middle school students to the high school games but they haven’t had a chance to play. Unified sports is a program from K-12 and I thought it was time to get our own team.”

He added that Caleb Bodo and Jomar Johnson will coach the ICMS team and he was pleased to see interest in expanding the program.

“When I asked (ICMS Principal Holly Minch-Hick), she was really happy about it and the staff is really looking forward to it.”

This marks the latest unified sports hoops event since ICHS took on Edison in February, while more activities were eyed with a track meet at Edison this spring.

Mort also hoped to see more middle school events next year including track and football.