LYNNFIELD — A new program designed to give all students more opportunities to participate in high school sports is rapidly becoming a slam dunk for coaches, players and families.
Lynnfield’s coed unified basketball program, which just wrapped up its second season, featured 15 players — up from about 10 during its inaugural year.
“It has been outstanding, just great,” said coach Sue Breen, who also coaches the Lynnfield girls varsity team. “The number of kids who participate has grown so much in just one year, and you just see so much growth with the kids, especially in terms of their confidence.
“There’s been a lot of interest, and we’ve had better participation. There are also a lot of kids who want to help out. A lot of kids want to be part of this, which is awesome,” Breen said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Everybody’s happy, and you just see them grow so much. It’s so inclusive, so it’s wonderful.”
The team played seven games, along with a season-ending two-game jamboree at North Reading on Nov. 18, posting a 4-2-1 record. The tie saw both teams put up 70 points.
“That tie game was just crazy,” Breen said. “That was the highest-scoring game we’ve ever had.”
Regular season games are two 20-minute halves with running time and no shot clock.
“Sometimes you are subbing on the fly when someone has to come out, so it’s very fast,” Breen said. “
Assistant coach Lisa Verdile said she loves that the program opens the door for more students to participate.
“Just watching the kids who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity is amazing,” Verdile said. “There was a story last year about one of our students who doesn’t like noise so we called for a quiet gym. Everybody got quiet when he shot. Instead of clapping, everybody just snapped their fingers. You can’t help it; you still cheer. But two years later, I still cry when I tell that story.”
“Of all the things I’ve done in life, this is absolutely the best,” Verdile said. “These kids get to play and be a part of a team. They get together and have pasta parties. They have their group text and they have their social media that they use and they are all a part of the team. It’s just really sweet to see that.”
This is sophomore Cordelia Langton’s first year on the team. She said she heard about the team from coach Breen and decided to give it a shot.
“My parents said I should play a sport,” she said. “I love it, and I definitely will play again next year. My role is minor as I mainly pass to everybody, but it’s a great sense of community and friends.”
The team participated in the recent Harlem Wizards exhibition game at the high school, playing together for much of the third quarter.
“It was so much fun,” Langton said. “The Wizards do a lot of trick shots. They were scoring a lot. We were scoring a lot. The dunking was definitely incredible. They were jumping up and just grabbing the rim. It was amazing and so much fun to see.”
Second-year players junior Charlie Cumming and sophomore Chase Cail are among the taller players on the roster.
Cail said he’s attended several camps conducted by former St. John’s Prep and NBA star Pat Connaughton, who won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Like Langton, both said they will play again next year.
Cumming takes pride in his role as a top rebounder. He also played in the Wizards game.
“I also like to shoot three’s,” Cumming said. “This year was great. We had a really good season.”
“The Wizards game was so much fun and I couldn’t believe how many people were at the game. The whole experience was really great ” Cail said. “Pat’s camps were really fun and I learned a lot.
“I get a lot of points and rebounds. Last year there was one game when I got, like, 40 points, or something like that. I like to shoot three’s. I rebound and try to pass a lot, kind of a little bit of everything that I can do to help the team,” Cail said. “Charlie gets so many rebounds so we usually leave that to him.
“It’s really about building the community and the school. Lots of kids and families come to our games,” Breen said. “It’s just been a wonderful experience for everyone.”
Breen said she is fortunate to have Verdile and Christine Haskell as assistant coaches and is grateful to the Lynnfield Athletic Association for its support.
“They’ve both been amazing,” Breen said. “LAA has done so much with special team sweatshirts, which is great. Teachers, administrators and middle school and elementary school folks have come to watch the games. It’s really a wonderful experience for everyone.”
