The Unified Basketball team at Concord Carlisle High School successfully ended their season with a big win against Lincoln-Sudbury, following the last game, held in the CCHS gymnasium, on October 29, 2025, during a Flex block.
Started by Thomas Keane, Aaron Joncas, Laurie Hunter, and other administrators (of CCHS), the Unified Basketball team was established five years ago, in 2021. The administrators came up with the idea when they were discussing the importance of building friendships, fostering teamwork, and promoting social inclusion around competition. Unified Basketball is also a great way to break down stereotypes towards people with disabilities.
Thomas Keane, the head coach of the Unified Basketball team, recalls his favorite memory from this season, which was when a player with visual impairment, Adrien Schnadig, who was fearful of playing on court at first, was able to score for the team! The team created an adapted hoop for Adrien, that was bright and glittery, so that he could get a chance to touch the ball and shoot. Mr. Keane especially liked how the crowd went wild after Adrien’s special moment during the game.
“All the players on the team can feel like they belong! They feel respected, and all voices are heard. We [the coaches] let the players talk to the team and say the team cheer before every game,” said coach Keane. 
Two players, Senior, Jamie Walsh and Freshmen, Ansony Lapix, from the Unified Basketball team, talked about their favorite memories and their improvements from the season.
“My favorite memory from the season was the game against LS, who are our big rivals. It was the final game of the season, and we won! Another favorite memory was passing the ball to my teammates, especially Adrien, so that they could get a chance to shine,” said Jamie Walsh. “Personally, I improved on passing and shooting the ball.”
Ansony remarked, “My favorite memory was also passing the ball to my teammates, and I liked seeing my old middle school teachers (from CMS) and high school teachers cheering for us at the games. For me, I improved on shooting the ball and getting closer to the basket for better aim.”
Seniors, Orin Lewis and Sadie Kokoszka, were mentors on the team since their junior years. They both got involved in Unified Basketball after participating in Unified track during their sophomore year. Orin and Sadie really enjoyed the experience, and wanted to continue to help out in the pathways program.
According to them, the team is very peer-led, and a big part of being a mentor is working with your teammates. Sadie was the captain of the team for the last two years, and Orin became a captain this year! As captains they help out during practices and games, and equally make sure that everyone works together and gets along well.
“Something I’ve learned is that it’s important to recognize people’s strengths and consider their abilities. While some athletes aren’t able to participate in certain areas, we should recognize their skills and encourage them,” said Orin.
Sadie added, “For me, something I’ve enjoyed is watching the athletes and new mentors get to know each other! It’s especially great to see new mentors with no previous experience assimilate with the athletes super well.”
The Concord-Carlisle team is led by Thomas Keane, who works in the pathways program and had few coaching experiences in the past. He has been part of the Unified Basketball team for four years, and his role is to coach the athletes and communicate with their parents.
The team practiced and trained twice a week, in the main gym of CCHS. They spent time doing basketball drills, but also spent time socializing and playing fun games at the beginning of practices.
Unified Basketball is an inclusive MIAA sport that allows for students from the pathways program to train and play with each other. Students who want to participate, as either a player or a mentor, can fill out an application.
We hope to see more of the CCHS Unified Basketball team next season! Go Patriots!
