The Medway High School Unified Basketball team, including Coach Katy Golden, right, recently received the MIAA Unified Basketball Sportsmanship Award. (Photo Courtesy Medway Public Schools)
MEDWAY — Medway High School’s Unified Basketball team has been recognized as one of the top programs in the state for sportsmanship and inclusion, earning the 2025 MIAA Unified Basketball Sportsmanship Award.
The team received the award during the Best Buddies Bash on Jan. 23 at a girls’ varsity basketball game. The event — an evening of friendship, fun and inclusion — raised awareness and funds for Medway High School’s Best Buddies Club.
Medway High’s Unified Basketball team, which pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities from the Best Buddies Club on the same team, was chosen out of 150 teams across Massachusetts as the recipient of the 2025 MIAA Unified Basketball Sportsmanship Award.
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Associate Director Peter Smith presented the team with a plaque during halftime.
Jay Golden, Hopkinton High School’s Unified Basketball coach, nominated Medway for the award.
“All of the teams in our league, the Tri-Valley League/495 Division, demonstrate fantastic sportsmanship year in and year out. We have been particularly impressed with Medway over the years,” Coach Golden said. “Their athletes, partners, coaches, and support staff are all exceedingly polite, friendly, and welcoming. Medway is a top-notch program and does everything the right way, both on and off the court. We feel they would be a very deserving recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for this season!”
“This team truly embodies the sportsmanship and teamwork that Medway values,” said Medway Unified Basketball Coach Katy Golden. “I am proud to see them recognized for their hard work, positivity and inclusion.”
Medway High School Athletic Director Jeff Parcells said the award speaks to the character of the school’s student-athletes and coaches.
“Our Unified Basketball program consistently demonstrates the best of what high school athletics should be,” he said. “They compete hard, lead with empathy, treat everyone with respect and support one another. We are proud of the example they set for our school and for other programs across the state.”
About Best Buddies
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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