Packed with upwards of 600 students, the gym’s bleachers roared in anticipation as the Buena Unified Bulldogs basketball team faced off against the Fillmore Flashes April 4, 2025. In a tightly contested game marked by back-and-forth scoring, the match ultimately ended in a 44-44 tie.
After weeks of planning, special education teachers Jennifer Kwast and Breanne Flores were excited to watch and coach the last game of the Unified Basketball season. Kwast spoke about the long process and the amount of planning that goes into the events, from finding peers, to emailing other schools and registering every single athlete.
As the announcer named the players on each team before the game, they ran through a tunnel of cheerleaders and player partners to raise spirits and excitement.
Player partners are general education students paired with the special education players. Senior Christian Garcia has been a partner for all four years of his high school career.
“My freshman year, I knew one of the non-general education students and I wanted to be his partner, [and] since then I’ve stuck with him,” Garcia said.
The whistle blew and the game tipped off with Bulldogs gaining initial possession. However, control quickly shifted to the Flashes. After a few early shot attempts from both sides, it was until Buena’s Jeffrey Holly broke the scoring drought, putting the first points on the scoreboard in favor of Buena.
Basket after basket, the first quarter flew by and ended in a tied score, 8-8. Now that nerves were out of the way, the partners and players were ready to take on the rest of the game.
“Once we get into the flow, just like a typical game, the momentum really carries,” Flores said, “Especially when we’re evenly matched, the competitiveness comes out.”
Being the event planner, Flores looks forward to these games every year, enjoying the inclusivity that they call for and the sense of belonging that it brings for the special education kids. She describes the event as a lively “typical game experience” highlighted by a spirited supportive crowd of fellow students and parents.
As the second quarter tipped-off, the bulldogs were ready to take charge and get ahead in points, starting the quarter off strong with a block from Vincent Navarro and followed by a smooth two-pointer. The crowd enthusiastically cheered as he celebrated the play with a dab.
“I love [being on the basketball team],” Navarro said. “[There are] so many fans out there, and [I get excited]when everyone says, ‘We love you Vincent!’”
Although there were some exciting baskets scored by the Bulldogs, the Fillmore Flashes followed closely behind and managed to pull in front of the Buena team by the end of the second quarter, leaving the score at 16-15 at halftime.
A half-court basketball contest was held while the teams talked strategy during half, and the audience cheered for the selected audience members taking their shots. While this was happening, Junior Matthew Diaz got ready for his time to shine on the court.
Although the team practices weekly, a lot of time it’s only for short periods of time or schedules for the athletes and partners do not align. Flores mentioned finding time to practice is the team’s “biggest challenge”. Therefore, athletes like Diaz spend time outside of school preparing for games.
“I practice at the park and also in my backyard, because I have a basketball hoop,” Diaz said. He loves these games and being able to compete in sports he loves. “[Being on the basketball team] makes me feel good and happy.”
After halftime, Bulldog spirits rose with two immediate baskets scored by Holly, spirits soon wavered as Fillmore came back strong and hard, scoring point after point, and wrapped up the third quarter with a Fillmore lead, 36-29.
Buena’s team did not let the scoreboard get to their heads, and they returned ready to catch up to the Fillmore Flashes. Navarro scored a two pointer and got fired up, immediately scoring two more two pointers after. Diaz followed suit by scoring a half court shot, leaving the crowd to erupt in cheers. Finally after a scoring exchange between the two teams, the buzzer sounded with the final score 44-44, ending the game in a tie.
As the students filed out of the gym, the partners, players, and coaches celebrated the end of a great season with team pictures and congratulations all around. Flores, Kwast and Garcia all emphasized the importance of events like these and the inclusion they promote between special and general education students.
“[The point of this event is] overall inclusion, exposure and just kind of having, and celebrating our community as well,” Flores said. “They belong and deserve an opportunity like this, just like anyone else”
