Unified Basketball team at WJHS concludes its 2024 season 

In late March, the Wells Junior High School Unified Basketball team played their last game for 2024 thus ending the sixth year of the Unified Basketball Program at WJHS.  

Before a crowd of spectators in the Ward Gymnasium in Wells on March 26th, both Wells and Noble JHS teams traveled up and down the court with the ball many times engaging the audience in an exciting and close contest.  

“We lost by around 10,” commented Dan MacLeod, the WJHS Director of Athletics and Student Activities plus the team’s coach. “(However) a team doesn’t really ‘lose’ anyway.  We support both teams.”  MacLeod added, “You can’t help but smile and cheer for both teams.”

The Wells team consisted of 22 junior high students with 12 of them “partner players”.  MacLeod indicated that they practiced two days a week, played five games, and ended with what he called a tremendous year.  “All participants of this program have learned a great deal about accepting differences, inclusion, physical activity, friendship, respect, and understanding,” noted MacLeod.  “Friendships were forged which benefits all and makes for a caring and positive school climate.” 

Karen Lenk Tufts is the Director of Special Services for the Wells-Ogunquit CSD and finds the District highly committed to engaging all learners.  “There is no denying that watching or participating in a Unified game is pure joy,” wrote Lenk Tufts in an email.  “Unified sports gives students of all abilities the chance to participate with peers and promotes meaningful social inclusion….It is a win for all involved and I am incredibly grateful to our WOCSD community for embracing the spirit of Unified.”  

WJHS Principal Josh Gould was present at the last game. "We believe in the concept of being a Unified champion school,” commented Gould.  “Unified programming makes every single person in our school feel important!   It is a relationship builder and a culture builder.   We are so proud of our Unified athletes.”