Tim Scott was not planning to be a coach.

The Barrington native was focused on being a television news reporter, and for the first few years after he graduated from Syracuse University, that is exactly what he was. His first job was at a television station in Fargo, N.D. And a short time later he worked as a reporter in Columbia, S.C.

But at some point during the pandemic, he began questioning his career choice.

“I started to think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” he said. 

The answer arrived quickly: he wanted to teach.

Mr. Scott has been working as a substitute teacher and recently stepped in as the head coach of the BHS Unified Basketball team.

“It’s been a terrific experience,” he said during a recent interview. “I’ve grown really close with all the kids. I’ve done my best to make sure the games are fun.”

Unified sports partner students with special needs with student helpers. Mr. Scott said his first experience with a Unified sport was when he was a student at Barrington High School — he volunteered to help with the Unified Volleyball team. 

He really enjoyed the experience and has worked hard to bring that same positive atmosphere to this year’s team. Mr. Scott said there were some challenges posed by the pandemic but he has worked past them and discovered the benefits of leading this year’s team.

“It’s taught me a lot of things,” he said. 

Mr. Scott said his time with the team helped learn to exercise more compassion. He said some students have a lot of questions, and he knows he needs to take time to listen the students, to value what they have to say. 

Mr. Scott also found an importance to bringing the team together, so he developed an activity during practice where all the students met in a circle at the center of the court. They ask questions or comment on the previous game. 

“We try to praise what things the kids can do,” he said. “It’s about building self-confidence, self-worth.”

Mr. Scott said he has enjoyed coaching the team and hopes to continue to make a positive difference.

Some of the approach he uses with the team and in the classroom comes directly from educators of his past — he praised the work of Gino Sanguiliano (Hampden Meadows School assistant principal), Barrington High School teachers Bryan Caswell and Ben Fillo, and former BHS guidance counselor Patrick Sullivan. 

“And Mr. (John) West. I can’t forget about Mr. West,” Mr. Scott said. “He taught me to not be afraid of who I am.”

Mr. Scott said it would a dream come true to join the full-time staff at Barrington High School, and he has already taken the certification exam. He learned recently that he passed the certification test and will be student-teaching at Barrington High School in the fall. 

Recent victory

The Barrington High School Unified Basketball team celebrated a big win recently, defeated East Providence 52-50 on Senior Day. Mr. Scott said the game served as a great send-off the senior members of the team.

On Wednesday, May 19, Barrington defeated Tiverton 68-62. Seven different Eagles scored, led by Rafe Navarro and Kelton Satine who each scored 16 points.

On Friday, May 19, Barrington lost a hard-fought game to East Providence 46-42. Rafe Navarro set a single-season scoring record with 28 points. Jack Almond, Josh Nestell and Josh Pickering also scored baskets. 

Members of this year’s Unified Basketball team at Barrington High School are Marina Babineau, Jack Almond, Kelton Satine, Joshua Pickering, Oona Murrin-Billingsley, Makayla Bennett, Josh Nestell, Rafe Navarro, Olivia Bennett, Virginia Barakos and Greg Despines. Partners for the team are Ella Abadi, Miranda Hartel and Gabby Navarro.