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Unified basketball coach, a key to team's success

Posted at 3:48 PM, Aug 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-02 16:52:44-04

AURORA, Colo. -- Coaches dedicate countless hours and days to improving the lives of the players they work with.

For Special Olympics Colorado, it’s those coaches that make the program a success.

“It’s a great thing to be part of,” Smoky Hill Unified Basketball coach Will Frakes told Denver7 reporters Hanna Atkinson and Connor Long. “It’s so much fun to see and I’m glad to be a part of it. Our kids are amazing.”

Frakes said unified sports give students that normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to play high school sports the chance to not just play, but to letter in it.

One of those players is Isaac Dolson.

“I learned how to be social with people, be nice, respectful to everybody and to play hard,” Isaac told Hanna and Connor.

Those are values that Coach Frakes said will last beyond the time the players are on the court.

“It’s one of those great experiences for all of our team members,” Frakes added, pointing out it’s not about the score or even who plays.

“It’s about forming friendships.”

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Click here to read and see more of Hanna and Connor’s stories.

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