They filled the gym with school spirit for United Sports basketball game in Bellingham

Nearly 1,000 students, parents and fans attended a “fill-the-gym” game between Bellingham High School’s and Sehome High School’s Unified Sports basketball teams on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Voices of 987 fans filled the Bellingham gym as the Red Raiders defeated the Mariners 35-31 in the cross-town rivalry.

Unified basketball is part of the Special Olympics and offers students with disabilities an opportunity to compete in high school sports. Teams consist of Special Olympic athletes and their partners.

“The big idea is inclusion,” said Brett Evans, head coach for the Red Raiders, while highlighting what makes United Sports special.

“It’s a great opportunity just to come out and let your student try a sport out. It’s a supportive environment full of encouragement and just great memories for everyone,” Evans said.

The game included all the facets of a varsity basketball game. Cheerleaders, dancers, halftime shows, drumlines and mascots were all present and the gym was full of school-spirit energy through four quarters of basketball.

Unified basketball has its end-of-the-year tournament on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Sehome High School.

This story was originally published February 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.