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Southside High launches inaugural Challenger basketball team for students with disabilities
Summary
Southside High School announced its first Challenger basketball team, a non‑competitive program for students with intellectual and physical disabilities, with a seven‑game schedule and community support from students, staff and families.
Southside High School introduced its first Challenger basketball team, a non‑competitive program for students with intellectual and physical disabilities, during the March edition of the school’s Cyclone Snapshot.
Athletic director Mr. McGuire, athletic director at Southside High School, said, “Challenger Sports is a non competitive opportunity for students with, intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities.” The program has a seven‑game schedule this winter, including two home games and five away games; the team held its home opener the day before the broadcast.
The program’s student participants described what the team means to them. Joshua Brown, a student and team member, said, "I like, like shooting, like, 3 pointers, like, into the hoop and having fun and playing defense." Bryce Kidd, a student and team member, said he scored a three‑pointer in the home opener: "I scored a 3 pointer." Aidan Tomlin, a student and team member who serves as a referee for the Challenger team, said, "I basically make sure that everyone gets a fair chance at scoring, passing, and making sure everyone has fun."
The segment credited Miss Williams, a teacher who facilitated a prior cross‑school student leadership collaboration, and positioned the Challenger team as aligned with Southside’s mission to provide inclusive opportunities. Mr. McGuire said discussions with teachers and parents informed the decision to start the program.
The Cyclone Snapshot also noted other March events at Southside High School: an IB Art exhibition on March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Commons, spring parent‑teacher conferences on March 20 and April 9 (signup information to be sent), a high school PTA meeting on March 27 at 6 p.m., and a newly announced Writing Center available to students during periods 1 through 9 in the library.
Students, staff and the school broadcast framed the Challenger team as a new, inclusive extracurricular opportunity rather than a competitive varsity sport. No formal district action, funding amounts or external approvals were discussed on the recording.
