Warren County finished first out of 13 counties at the Unified Basketball State Tournament.
Director Lori Dearmond said unified teams playing against each other helps promote inclusion within Warren County schools.
“It’s so much fun.” Dearmond said. “It spills over to the hallways, all that, spills all over into the community as well as we see each other at Wal-Mart cause we all live in the same town and to see them do well and build those relationships and do well.”
With the first place finish, Warren County added their name in a blind draw for a possible berth in the 2026 National Special Olympics in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The blind draw is expected to be completed in April.
“We pool them in the basketball court in this instance to be one team.” Dearmond said. “We come together on the common ground of basketball to create a team, create relationships. Those relationships spill into the school, in the hallways, the cafeterias, the classrooms, and things like that.”
Dearmond said the team’s work began in November.
“It reaches everyone’s life and its meaningful relationships, its meaningful play, good, competitive play for everyone.” Dearmond said.
Unified games are played at the end of January, normally hosted by Warren County. Some state tournament games are conducted later in March at Lipscomb.
