Del Val’s unified basketball program is preparing for its first official game of the season.

The unified basketball program includes both special and general education students who work together as a team. The team is led by Daniel Casserly, who is returning for his fifth year as head coach.

So far, the team has held one practice and participated in the Unified vs. Best Buddies scrimmage during Unit Lunch on Dec. 18. 

“We had a little scrimmage at the end of the practice, a little game-like scrimmage, and it went really well,” Casserly said.

The team has had numerous successes in recent years, finishing last season with a record of 3-2. This year, the team will play 10 games and face a variety of different schools.

Their first game will take place on Jan. 6 at Bridgewater High School. Bridgewater also has a strong unified basketball program, and they finished last season with a 7-3 record.

“They’re [Bridgewater High School] a bit bigger than Del Val, but we have the intensity and the passion, so I think it’ll be a good game,” Casserly said.

Casserly said returning players Tommy Bentley and Robert McGlothlin will be valuable assets to the team in the first game. Both players have histories as leading point scorers on the team.

According to Casserly, the key to success will be a combination of good ball movement and teamwork. He is looking forward to their upcoming games, and he believes that the team has great potential.

“We should have a nice long season and a lot of games,” Casserly said.