A pair of local high schools are among the first in Michigan to participate in a Special Olympics basketball league. Six schools from the Kensington Lake Athletic Association, including Brighton High School and Hartland High School are competing in the Special Olympics Unified Basketball League. This is the first time in history that Michigan high schools have taken part in league play. Special Olympics Michigan has partnered with the Michigan High School Athletic Association this year to promote Unified Sports. Unified Sports teams are made up of people of similar ages and abilities with the goal of creating a fun, challenging environment. The program aims at working towards social inclusion by way of breaking down stereotypes and stigmas about people with intellectual disabilities. The KLAA’s Unified basketball regular season schedule runs through the end of February. Brighton, Hartland, and the other KLAA teams will then participate at March Magic Hoopfest in conjunction with the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals in March. For more information on how to get involved with the Unified Sports program, please contact Dan Ekonen at ekone1dk@cmich.edu or visit www.somi.org/sports/unified-sports.html (MK)