EHS, WRHS Swarm the Stands for annual Unified Sports basketball game

Enumclaw took the win this year, beating White River 48-44.

Ian Willis (5) passing to partner Towa Harris (1). Photo by Ray Miller-Still

It was a night of rocking music, excellent sportsmanship, and — of course — wild support for Enumclaw and White River’s Unified Sports athletes as they played out the schools’ friendly rivalry during the annual Swarm the Stands basketball game last Friday.

For those not in the know, Unified Sports is an opportunity for student athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in traditional school sports; teams consist of students with disabilities and “partners” without disabilities “to create an inclusive environment and opportunity for whole school engagement,” Enumclaw coach Dana Brooks said in an email. “Both teams work together to support every athlete on the court, be successful and leave the night feeling like a winner and accepted by their peers.” According to Brooks, this was the 8th annual game.

Normally, two games are played — Swarm the Stands at White River, and Slam the Stands at Enumclaw, but due to the ongoing pandemic, only one match was played this year. It was a neck-and-neck game, but Enumclaw walked away with the win, outscoring White River 48-44.

In addition to supporting the athletes, the annual game is an opportunity to recognize the seniors graduating from their respective schools this year. This year, Ian Willis, Isabelle Riche, and Tristan Forman of EHS and Kimber Menzel of WRHS were honored.