Washingtonville High School celebrates the launch of its first Unified Basketball Team

Washingtonville High School’s gym is buzzing with excitement this spring, as the district celebrates its first Unified Basketball team!

This incredible program brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team and has been a dream several years in the making, thanks to the dedication of the school’s athletic director, Suzanne Lendzian and other staff members across the district. 

Three years ago, Superintendent Dr. Larry Washington and Lendzian first discussed the Unified sports offerings in Section IX, as well as their desire to bring these offerings to the students in Washingtonville.

“Unified basketball is a sport that showcases amazing students and the true values of high quality athletic offering,” said Lendzian, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics.

Leading the way are Head Coach Angela Brouty and Assistant Coach Michelle Campbell, both longtime members of the Washingtonville community with a deep love for athletics.

Coach Brouty, who played competitive basketball through high school and college, has coached at multiple levels, from youth programs to high school teams.  

Coach Campbell, a Washingtonville High School alum and former basketball player herself, also spent a decade coaching JV and Varsity Volleyball. Coincidentally, the two previously coached youth basketball together at 12th Rock in Middletown.

“We’re both excited to reunite for this new opportunity,” Coach Campbell said. “It’s such a blessing to be a part of this program, and we appreciate all the support we are receiving.”  

Recruiting players for the team was a thoughtful and intentional process. With backgrounds in working with students with special needs and a focus on childhood development, both coaches were able to recruit a strong and dedicated group.

“As we looked for partners, we hoped to find people we knew with great character, previous experience with our ASPIRE students, ability to make a commitment to the team and hopefully a basketball background,” Coach Campbell said. 

Together, they assembled a roster of seven players and 10 partners — a team built not just on athletic skill, but on character and commitment.

In these early weeks, the focus has been on building relationships, strengthening basketball fundamentals and developing strong communication skills. The coaches hope to deepen the players’ understanding of the game, nurture a love for the sport, and empower each athlete to recognize their value both on and off the court.

“We hope our student athletes not only experience the joy that comes with being a part of this team and program, but also carry with them the life lessons they can learn from it,” Coach Brouty emphasized. “We have always been strong advocates of sports and the character traits developed through them, but this program specifically allows students to experience this and so much more on an entirely different level.”

As they look ahead to the season, they can’t help but feel like they already won. 

“Watching the interactions within the team and the joy it brings to everyone involved is truly a remarkable experience,” Coach Campbell said. “It’s inspiring to see the camaraderie being built between students of all ages and abilities, creating a sense of unity and connection that goes beyond just the game.”

The team’s first home game was on Thursday, May 1, with the gymnasium at Washingtonville High School roaring with exhilarating fans as the team made their way onto the court. The Washingtonville Wizards played against Cornwall’s Dragons in a dynamic game. 

“Witnessing our Unified Basketball game was truly inspiring; it was a testament to the power of inclusion and the strength of our community,” said Dr. Washington. “The event brought together students of all abilities, fostering genuine teamwork, friendship, and a sense of belonging for everyone involved.”

Throughout the game, spectators and teammates never stopped cheering as players made their way up and down the court scoring baskets. 

“I was pretty excited when I was asked to join because it's something I've seen other schools doing, so I'm excited that we're doing it…” said senior Aidan Sullivan. “The fact that we get to see that no matter what team scores, it's always a celebration. So, it’s always a great time at every game because no matter who wins or loses, no matter who scores and what happens, it's always a good time.”

At half time, the audience watched a performance from the step team before basketball players participated in a game of musical chairs. Players also threw tee shirts into the crowd, with a few lucky fans going home with some Wizard’s merch! 

In  the end, the Cornwall Dragons won 34 - 20; with both teams leaving in high spirits, as it’s not always about who wins, but about having fun.

“It was fantastic,” said Edwin Familia, father of player Juan, when asked about the game. “ It was very emotional because Juan has come a long way since being little and he has made so much progress… He's so happy here, and not only that, he's surrounded by amazing people here, the educators, the children. It’s so emotional to see a community come together and put on an event like this.”

To see the team in action, come support them at their final game this season at Monroe High School on May 8th!

Check out a photos from the game here!