WEST SENECA — The Silver Creek/Forestville Unified basketball team claimed a perfect ending to an equally perfect season Thursday.

Silver Creek/Forestville won a Section VI Unified basketball championship at The R.O.C.K athletic facility in West Seneca with a 34-30 win over Springville.

Silver Creek/Forestville took the floor at 9 a.m., looking to keep its undefeated season intact. Silver Creek/Forestville trailed most of the game, but they never let that get them down. Preston Lipczynski played impressive defense, running up and down the court to block any defender in his way. Ali Kerstetter, Claire Gonzalez, Auggie Boedo, Noah Hodkin, Jonathan Pilski and Marissa Grisanti all played a part by each making a shot. Troy Cooper, Grayson McChesney and Bryan Wagner scored two baskets apiece.

Chris Marsh led the team in points, making two baskets and sank two 3-pointers to help Silver Creek/Forestville secure the win. Molly Shaw, Blake Waterman, Kim Bauers, Aiden Hendricks and Sabra Warner all assisted the team with passing, rebounding and defensive plays.

Youth Advisory Committee Advisor Janet Decker filled in for head coach Jen Johnson on Thursday. She joined Brenda Kerstetter of Forestville to lead the team to the comeback win from the bench. The team claimed its first title and undefeated season just four years after the program began at Silver Creek.

In 2021, Johnson recruited partners and athletes from across the district to play in the inaugural season. The team played hard and always had fun, but struggled to find a win. In 2022, the losing streak continued, but no one gave up. The players showed up for every game and always gave 100% effort.

As the Unified movement spread at Silver Creek, the number of players increased, and the team continued to gain momentum. During the 2024 season, Silver Creek combined with Forestville to create the Silver Creek/Forestville team.

A year ago, Silver Creek received National Unified Champion School status. To recognize this honor, the school held an assembly game, allowing the team to highlight their skills and the Unified Spirit. The last game of the season that year brought Silver Creek their first win.

This year, the team has expanded to include 19 players from both Silver Creek and Forestville. Each game found the team coming together to play with precision and grace. The Silver Creek/Forestville team started their season with a win against Cassadaga Valley, and the wins just kept coming. Each week, the team kept putting a check in the win column, playing with commitment and joy.

“Everything just clicked this season. Our athletes and partners are working together, learning the plays, and just having fun,” said head coach Jen Johnson.

The wins were not always easy either, some coming down to the final basket.

Coach Brenda Kerstetter, of Forestville, stated, “There is nothing better than cheering on the team from the sidelines and seeing the pure joy on their faces when they make the basket or get the ball back with good defense.”

After weeks of games and a playoff game Tuesday at Cattaraugus-Little Valley — a game Silver Creek won 41-33 — the Unified players walked into The R.O.C.K athletic facility in West Seneca with their heads high, ready to give their all. Their efforts were rewarded with medals, a plaque and the Section VI championship banner. They were met with a clap-in celebration upon returning to school.

The team would like to recognize seniors Cooper, Warner and Grisanti for the heart and dedication to the team. All other players plan to return next year with plans to defend their title.