Fun, Fundamentals for Lenox Unified Squad

LENOX, Mass. – The Lenox Memorial Unified basketball team is still looking for its first win.

 

But, much more importantly, the Millionaires have found themselves a place in the growing Unified sports family in Berkshire County.

 

Pittsfield Tuesday overcame a five-point fourth-quarter deficit to take a 57-52 win from Lenox.

 

As always, though, both teams walked off the court with smiles on their faces in the first ever meeting between the schools.

 

Lenox this fall joined Mount Greylock, Wahconah, Pittsfield and Monument Mountain in offering Unified, a program associated with Special Olympics that allows students with disabilities to compete side-by-side with their non-disabled peers while representing their schools.

 

“It’s just a fun atmosphere with the community aspect of it all,” said coach Bailey Patella, a Lenox alum who also helps coach the girls basketball program in the winter. “You’re able to talk with the coach across the court, kind of help guide every player on the court, which is something that I really enjoy doing.

 

“I’m just really happy to be a part of it, and I’m glad that Unified basketball has become a thing in Berkshire County. And I hope it continues to grow.”

 

Clad in bright T-shirts in the school colors that were designed by a Lenox student, the team of 10 – seven athletes and three partners – led most of the game against the more experienced Generals.

 

But Lenox (0-4) was not able to hold on in the closing minutes as Pittsfield (1-1) roared back to earn its first win of the fall.

 

The Millionaires have two more shots to get a win of their own: Monday at home against Wahconah and Nov. 6 at Monument Mountain.

 

In the meantime, Patella will keep helping his players improve.

 

“I still love to try to teach some fundamentals,” he said. “That’s what I love doing. And then we just try to have fun.

 

“We do shooting competitions, we do dribbling drills and then we try to play a lot. We just try to get everyone together, playing a team sport and try to get some exercise.”

 

Photos from this game to come.