HERMISTON, Ore.-Hermiston High School’s Unified Basketball team took the court against Grandview in a gym full of students, staff, family, and community members for Senior Night on January 21.
Frankie Avila, Angel de Jesus Acevedo, Anthony Burke, Dominga Pablo Martin, and Kiley Palmer, Hermiston Unified’s five Senior athletes, were honored during introductions before the Bulldogs and Greyhounds got down to business on the hardwood.
“I just like playing basketball and hanging out with friends,” said Acevedo, who played his first season on the Unified team. “My favorite part was making that three at our last home game.”
The Unified Game
According to Special Olympics, unified sports programs are inspired by the simple principle that training and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
“Unified basketball pairs three special education student athletes with two partner players on the court, creating an inclusive environment where everyone plays, learns, and grows together,” said Makaylee Young, Hermiston Unified Head Coach.
Unified sports teams are comprised of athletes of similar ages and abilities and can be community or school based.
Across Washington, 49 schools compete in Unified Basketball organized competitions, according to Morgan Larche, Director of Unified Schools, Special Olympics of Washington.
Starting a Program
“Education-based athletics is one of the strongest tools educators have, and unified athletics shows our students what inclusion really looks like,” said Usher.
Hermiston High School launched its Unified Basketball program in 2025, in partnership with Special Olympics Oregon to unite students with and without intellectual disabilities to train, compete, and promote acceptance and respect through sports.
Now in its second season, the success of Hermiston’s Unified Basketball program is a result of the dedication of staff, students and the Hermiston community, according to Usher, especially the efforts of Kaylee Young, Angela Young, and Cate Doherty.
Doherty was instrumental in bringing Unified Basketball to Hermiston after attending a LEAP (Leadership through Education, Activities, and Personal Development) meeting last year, where student leaders discussed projects that could have impacts on local school communities and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) community.
“The program is about more than basketball,” said Doherty, who worked with school administration and ASB to get Unified Basketball on the court at Hermiston and now serves as an assistant coach for the team. “It’s about inclusion, belonging, and ensuring that every student feels valued. It is also important for our entire student body to see and understand the importance of all students, both on and off the court.”
Hermiston Unified Basketball 2026
“I love these kids. They are always willing to try anything I throw at them, whether it’s learning a brand-new skill or even just learning how to play basketball itself,” said Young. “They never fail to put a smile on my face, and the amount of love I have for this team shows in everything they do on and off the court.”
Hermiston’s Unified Basketball team is made up of 15 athletes, player partners, and coaches.
“I like having fun and being with my team,” said Kiki Smith, of Hermiston Unified.
For the Youngs, Unified basketball is a family affair, while Makaylee is head coach, her mother, Angela works as an assistant coach, while her brother, James serves as a player partner.
“It means a lot to these kids to get to have this experience,” said James Young, a Junior shooting guard on the Hermiston varsity basketball team. “It’s been great just being around everyone and helping these kids.”
Hermiston vs. Grandview
“My favorite part is shooting at the basket, I’m just good at everything,” said Cesar Mendoza Muniz, a second-year player for Hermiston Unified during pregame warmups.
Hermiston controlled the opening tip and quickly went down court and scored, setting the tone for a fast-paced, back-and-forth game that saw the Bulldogs and Greyhounds trade baskets for much of the first half before Grandview went on a bit of a run just before halftime, pulling ahead 29-23 at the break.
In the second half, Grandview’s offense came alive, and the Greyhounds raced out to a ten-point lead before the Bulldogs’ defense chomped down, and Hermiston whittled the visiting team’s lead down.
Thanks to some clutch baskets inside from Anthony Burke and Angel Acevedo’s sweet stroke from outside, Hermiston pulled to within two points with five minutes left in the game.
Grandview hit an insurance bucket down the stretch and held on to win 45-41, but when the final buzzer sounded, the maxim that “when everyone plays, we all win” rang true.
A Unified School, Community and Team
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure the varsity athletics experience in Hermiston is one our students will remember for a lifetime,” said Usher. “Providing that same meaningful and memorable experience for our unified athletes is equally important.”
From full stands and a raucous student section to the sound of the band and the competitive action on the court, all the ambiance and atmosphere one would expect from a winter’s night spent at a high school basketball game are present at a Hermiston Unified basketball game.
ASB students help with the Unified team and a large swath of the Hermiston student body helps make the games possible and the experience memorable.
“Unified basketball is student-run and it’s school-wide,” said Melissa Doherty, an Assistant Principal at Hermiston. “It’s fun getting other students involved with making it work, that’s one of the things that makes this school special.”
Hermiston’s JROTC program presents the colors before games, while the band and choir students perform. Business students make and serve popcorn, and media production and visual arts students designed digital banners of Unified athletes and printed shirts. Career and Technical Education (CTE) students are also involved.
“Unified basketball has been fully embraced in Hermiston, creating a meaningful and rewarding experience for all,” said Usher.
More information about Unified Basketball and other Unified Sports programs are available through Special Olympics Oregon and Special Olympics Washington.
