Skyline High senior Eli Cottam likes to shoot threes. He’s not afraid to launch it even over the opposing team’s defense. “If I do, it helps us win the game,” he said. “I learned to play when I was eight. My dad taught me. He’s here cheering for me and watching me play and do my moves.” As a member of the school’s unified basketball team, he plays alongside students with and without intellectual disabilities. “I like playing with our team because they are nice and we share the ball. They encourage me.” Cottam and his team recently participated in a multi-team tournament at Murray High, one of several held throughout the Salt Lake Valley, providing more opportunities for teams to compete. Supported by Special Olympics Utah and the Utah High School Activities Association, the program has experienced impressive growth and now features over 200 co-ed unified basketball teams in high schools across Utah. The state unified championship is set to take place in late March.λ