WESTPORT — The gymnasium at Westport Community Schools was packed March 4. Everyone from longtime residents to preschool-aged children filled the bleachers as the Westport Unified Basketball Team faced off against the Westport Police Department.

The matchup had been in the making since the unified team launched last year, according to coach Diane Aldrich. While admission was free, many residents who packed the gym donated to support the unified sports program.

Tipoff came shortly after 6 p.m., following the police team’s entrance to the Imperial March from Star Wars. But the metaphorical “evil empire” quickly showed its sportsmanship, lining up to high-five members of the unified team as the school’s student band played from the stands. 

Each basket by the unified team sent the crowd into cheers, but the players weren’t the only ones showing off their talents. The unified cheerleading squad delivered a well-received halftime performance, pumping up the crowd and encouraging the players. During the third quarter, several members of the cheerleading team even joined the game, stepping onto the court to take a few shots of their own.

By the final buzzer, the unified team had defeated the police squad 49-27. But the officers did not seem too upset by the result.

School resource officer Scott Davis, however, said he expects to hear about the loss for months to come.

“They are already talking trash in the huddle, asking me, ‘What’s it like being beat by 22?’” Davis said after the game with a smile, adding that the students had him running far more than he is used to.

Officer Rob Rebello credited the unified team’s teamwork and skill for the outcome, while admitting it was “frustrating” to have shots blocked by the students.

“It was marvelous to see them playing,” he said.

Unified player Evan Hvolbeck said he was pleased with both his performance and that of his teammates.

“I felt very good and I just had the dependence to do all of it,” Hvolbeck said of his shooting night.

The team, which won its first game the previous evening, is already looking ahead to what it hopes will be a long and successful second season. Coaches said they were impressed by the turnout and support from the community.

“You come out to watch a basketball game and you want it to be a good show, you want everyone to be partaking, and I think we really nailed that today,” coach Patrick Sullivan said.

As the evening wrapped up, Aldrich quickly announced that another matchup is already planned for next year, with hopes of turning the friendly contest into an annual community tradition.