When Basketball Is More Than Just A Game

AROUND THE COUNTRY. MARCH MADNESS BRACKETS ARE ALREADY BUSTED AND FALLING APART. THAT AT FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF BASKETBALL IS BRINGING THE WHOLE GYM TOGETHER. WGCU’S CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS. REPORTER ELISABETH AND ARCHIE SHOWS US HOW A SIMPLE GAME OF INCLUSION HAS UNITED AN ENTIRE STUDENT BODY >> FOR ONE STUDENT, THE MEANING OF THE GAME STARTS WITH SOMETHING HE'S EXPERIENCED OUTSIDE THE GYM. >> THESE RADICAL KIDS WILL MAKE FUN IN THE SUN, ESPECIALLY THESE KIDS. >> THROUGHOUT PALM POLIS SAYS IT'S SOMETHING STUDENTS LIKE HIM SOMETIMES DEAL WITH INSIDE THE GYMNASIUM THAT KIND OF NEGATIVITY IS OUT OF BOUNDS. >> EACH YEAR, FORT MYERS, HIGH SCHOOL HOST, A UNIFIED BASKETBALL GAME MIXING IN STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TO PLAY THE GAME FROM THE BOARDS. EVEN CHEER. >> DURING HALFTIME. THIS YEAR, THE EXPANDED BY COLLABORATING WITH ATHLETES FROM THRIVE ACADEMY AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER THAT SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH AUTISM. MEET GARRETT COPELAND, THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS COORDINATOR AT FORT MYERS, HIGH. >> WE'VE BUILT A REALLY >> INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY HERE AT FORT MYERS, HIGH SCHOOL FROM WHEN WE STARTED 10 YEARS AGO. >> TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE INVOLVED. A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO INCLUDE OUR ATHLETES PARTNERS, STUDENTS ALTOGETHER AND GIVE THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT ANYBODY ELSE WOULD GET >> WRIGHT WIRE IS ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS. HE FIRST JOINED THE PROGRAM AS A SOPHOMORE AND IS NOW FINISHING AS A SENIOR AND THE COACH. >> IT'S REALLY MADE ME MEET PEOPLE THAT I DON'T BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE MET OTHER WAS AND THEY'RE GREAT KIDS. THEY DESERVE TO BE LOVED AND RESPECTED, WHICH ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE. >> WHICH IS VERY UNFORTUNATE. HUMBLEST SAYS THAT DIFFERENCE IS EASY TO SEE. >> WE'VE BEEN A GOOD AS FRANCE AND ITALY. HE'S SAYING NOT LEAD TO RECORD. HIS WILL MAKE FRONT ON NOTICE PUSHING THESE KIDS. HE'S KIND PERSON AND THAT'S THE PERSON I TRUST HIM TO BE OUR TEAM TO BE OUR COACH. >> THE SCHOOL'S APPROACH TO INCLUSION HAS DRAWN ATTENTION OUTSIDE THE COURT THIS YEAR. THEY WERE RECOGNIZED BY THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS, FLORIDA, RECEIVING THEIR SECOND NATIONAL BANNER EM THE ESPN DISTINCTION AWARD AS THE TOP INCLUSIVE SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. PABLO SAYS WHAT MATTERS MOST. HE SENT THE RECOGNITION. >> A SCHOOL DON'T PUT YOU DOWN OF SCHOOL P TO BREAK THAT UP IN A SUPPORT YOU'D ONLY GO. SO WHEN A PERSON BECAUSE I HAVE LEARNED IN MY LIFE, IT'S COLD BILLION OR SO FOR A BACKUP IN PIECES IN REBUILDING THEIR BACKUP, ANNOYING. >> FOR STUDENT WHO KNOWS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE PUT DOWN THAT KIND OF SUPPORT. EVERYTHING. FOR WGCU NEWS. I'M ELIZABETH AND