For the first time in the sport’s history, five teams in the Penobscot Bay Pilot coverage area will field unified basketball teams with three schools fielding a team for the first time. 

For the first time in their school histories, Medomak Valley, Camden Hills and Belfast are including unified basketball among their athletic offerings this winter. Oceanside and Mount View have offered the sport over the past few years and continue to offer the sport this winter. 

The first practice session of the season can be held as early as Jan. 2 with preseason jamborees held Jan. 19. The first countable regular season game can be held Jan. 22. Games consist of two 20 minute halves with a running clock. 

The regular season, consisting of a maximum of eight games, will conclude March 1 with the playoffs being March 5-19. The playoffs are open to all teams wishing to participate with those declining playoff spots able to participate in an alternate end-of-year-festival. 

Each team is allowed 22 roster spots. Unified student partners are not allowed to score more than 25 percent of a team’s total points and three unified players must be on the floor at all teams. 

This story was originally published Nov. 28, 2018 and updated to reflect Camden Hills has fielded a team. 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.