‘Pretty special’: Bend Senior High Unified basketball team wins state Special Olympics championship

Team defeated Forest Grove 40-20

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A big win for the Bend Senior High Unified Basketball team, claiming the title of state champions on Saturday. Unified Sports is a program that combines Special Olympic athletes with those who don't have intellectual disabilities.

"It's pretty fantastic to see this come together and for us here in Bend to be able to represent the state," Robert Tadjiki, head coach for the team, said Wednesday. "It's pretty special."

Unified sports are recognized as part of the OSAA State Tournament. Out of 55 Oregon unified teams, the Lava Bears were one of two teams chosen to compete. The team of 10, made up of six players and four partners, beat Forest Grove 40-20.

Played at Oregon State University's Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Coach Tadjiki says the team led for the majority of the game and added some extra baskets near the end.

"In the fourth quarter, we had our three-point shooter, Cameron Walker, making a couple of those, and the score kind of added on from there," he said. "Really, the flow of the game was just terrific. Sportsmanship was amazing, and we were just the better team that day, it was terrific."

This win goes beyond a trophy.

"Eyes are really opened, and what that really helps do for all the athletes and even the partners is it allows them to dream," Tadjiki said. "So often, students aren't given the opportunity to dream -- what do they want to do, what do they want to hope for?"

"And so that was just a wonderful moment, to go beyond the court."

But the team's journey does not end here. They're on their way to the Special Olympics in June. All athletes on Bend High's Unified team will represent Team Oregon at the USA Games at Disney World. It's a big step toward independence for most players -- and a fun time.

"I'm most excited for Disney World!" Said Nathan Criteser, a Unified player.

The team has been training twice a week to prepare.

"It is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that these students will never forget," said Tadjiki. "The motto for Special Olympics is, 'Let me win -- if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt'."

"And so if we don't win it, we'll be brave in the attempt."