Brewer Unified Nips MDI 48-45 [PHOTOS]

History was made on Monday, Februay 1st as the MDI Unified Basketball Team played their 1st ever home basketball game, and came up just a bit short 48-45. There were no losers as evidenced by the smiles, hugs and high fives by the players on the court and bench, the coaches and the couple hundred of spectators who cheered loudly for both teams.

The MDI Unified Team came running out on to the floor of Bernard Parady Gymnasium to the tune of Jesus Christ Superstar, performed by the MDI Pep Band. The MDI Cheerleaders were there, and Brewer brought their Unified Cheering Squad.

Brewer jumped out to a 10-8 lead at the end of the 1st Quarter. Aaron Adams, and Jacob Gray each had 4 points for Brewer, while Clancy Brazier had 2 points. For MDI Jacob Fallica had 6 points while Cameron Swan had 2 points.

Brewer outscored MDI 16-10 in the 2nd Quarter to take a 26-18 at the end of the 1st Half. Kyle Grant had 6 points for MDI, while Brazier and Gray had 4 points while Adams had 2 points. For MDI Faith Mitchell had 6 points, while Swan has 2 points and Nellie Page had 2 points.

MDI outscored Brewer 12-11 in the 3rd Quarter to cut the lead to 37-30. For MDI, Swan had 6 points, Casey Roberts had 4 points and Fallica had 2 points. For Brewer Jacob Gray had 5 points including a 3-pointer, Brazier had 4 points and Miles Adams had 2 points.

In the 4th Quarter MDI got within 3 points. Fallica had 4 points for the Trojans, Isaac Philbrook had a 3-pointer, Brittany Corson and Matt Lambert each had 2 points. For the Witches, Gray had 5 points including another 3-pointer, and Ally Chapman and Brazer each had 2 points.

Brewer was led by Jacob Gray with a game high 18 points and Clancy Brazier had 12 points. Kyle Grant and Aaron Adams each had 6 points, while Ally Chapman and Miles Adams each had 2 points.

MDI was led by Jacob Fallica with 12 points and Cameron Swan had 10 points. Faith Mitchell and Nellie Page each had 6 points, while Casey Roberts had 4 points, Isaac Philbrook had a 3-pointer for 3 points and Brittany Corson and Matt Lambert each had 2 points.

Chris Thornton and Denny Harmon were the referees. Here's Thornton's take on the game

I've been very fortunate in my basketball career to have officiated State Championship games and Eastern Maine Finals...but I'm not sure they hold a candle to what I was just a part of. Officiating the MDI vs. Brewer Unified basketball game was as much for me as it was for the athletes and partners involved. If you've never seen one..GO.!!! It'll show you the healthy side of competition and it just might restore your faith in humanity!!!

Wendy Littlefield, the Business Manager at MDI High School said this about the game

Just home from the MDIHS unified basket ball game, from the moment the band played Jesus Christ superstar to the athletes running out to the last moment the clock ticked every second was amazing. So humbled and proud of each person involved with this program. Tears, smiles, cheers, highfives and lots of laughs filled the gym tonight! That is what being on a team is about! Thank you MDI and Unified team members and coaches for everything you've done to bring this sport to out community!

From my perspective, broadcasting the game, it was amazing! It was sports done right. From Chris Thornton running down a player to avoid them scoring in the wrong basket, to Denny Harmon rebounding the ball and passing it back to the shooter, it was a great time. I had a smile broadcasting the entire game, and I want to thank Principal Matt Haney for joining me at the Half, and staying on air the entire 2nd Half with me. Athletes kept passing the ball around so everyone was involved, and the Trojans and Witches had multiple opportunities to make baskets, and when they scored, the cheers coming from all sides of Bernard Parady Gymnasium were loud and proud!

The Brewer Unified Roster consists of Hannah Laskey, Emma Reynolds, Tyler Williams, Ally Chapman, Ryan Gideon, Cam Harvery, Kyle St. Thomas, Aaron Adams, Miles Adams, Jacob Gray, Alex Maxsimic, Clancy Brazier and Kyle Grant.

The MDI Unified Roster consists of Faith Mitchell, Brittany Corson, Shelby Parsons, Maddy Shields, Jacob Fallica, Casey Roberts, Peter Philbrook, Nick Taylor, Matt Lambert, Zachary Johnson, Kyle Lamson, Isaac Philbrook, Drake Janes, Cameron Swan and Nellie Page.