NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — The cheers at North Ridgeville Academic Center on Thursday were loud enough to fill Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, but you're not watching an NBA game.
This one was more meaningful.
The Unified Sports basketball team of North Ridgeville hosted a tournament for several teams around Northeast Ohio made up of both able-bodied students, and ones with developmental or physical challenges.
"I was telling the other coaches, today feels like, I just feel like I wanna cry. It's just such an overwhelming day. And the kids are just ... they work so hard during practice and they truly just deserve all of the love and the recognition," said Rangers coach Hunter Roseto.
They got plenty of adoration at the tournament on Thursday as players from about five local schools with varying abilities played together as equals.
"We are all about being unified and being included and having everyone just be here together as one, and all being on the same playing field. It's the whole point of our team and this tournament," Hunter said.
Alex Ashburn and Austin Cork were making big moves on the court for the Rangers.
"I've been playing my whole life," Austin told us.
"I like shooting!" said Alex. "I like being with my friends!"
That's what makes this job so special for coaches like Hunter. She gets a front row seat to the support, every day.
"That's something that we really focus on at practice is if this student might not be able to play defense. So how can we incorporate them into having the same amount of playing time as everyone else?" she said.
If at first you don't succeed, you try and try again. Because on this basketball court, everyone has your back.
"I think what's different here is that no matter what team you're on, you're still gonna get cheered for just as loud. So if I'm cheering for Jake over here, I'm up, standing and screaming, but if someone on another team scores, I'm gonna do the same exact thing," said Midview coach Bobbi Wervey.
Jacob is one of Bobbi's players. Today gave him a boost.
"Yeah, I was really good. You know, I was just playing tough, having confidence and being strong," he told us.
Strong, supported, and included. Can you think of a better way to watch?
"I feel wonderful and strong and ... Rangers strong!" Austin told us.
To learn more about Unified Sports, click HERE.
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