Unified Bocce Brings Celebration and Spirit as Mountain View Tops Carbondale Area
By: Jillian Loff | SportzWire | January 23, 2026 | Photo courtesy Jillian Loff
As I walked into the gym for the Unified Bocce match between Mountain View and Carbondale Area, the first moment I witnessed set the tone for the entire day. Carbondale Area senior Leonard DeMarco stepped forward to sing the national anthem. The gym fell silent. Then he nailed it. His voice echoed with confidence and pride, and the crowd responded with loud applause. Before a single ball was rolled, Leonard had already delivered a moment no one in the building will forget.
From there, the energy never slowed. I was on site capturing the match for SportzWire, but I quickly found myself drawn into the atmosphere. Smiles across both benches. Parents leaning forward on every shot. Teammates clapping for one another. And something even more special, athletes cheering for their competition just as loudly as they cheered for their own teammates.
Every great roll brought voices from both sides. Nice shot. Great roll. Keep it going. That is the true heartbeat of Unified sports. Compete with passion. Celebrate each other with respect.
Mountain View delivered strong performances in both contests. The Eagles took Match 1 by a score of 7 to 1. They followed with a 9 to 2 victory in Match 2 to secure the overall win. Carbondale Area battled with determination, celebrating their big moments and encouraging one another through every frame.
The day carried even greater meaning as Carbondale Area honored Leonard DeMarco as a senior athlete. Seeing his teammates surround him with pride after his anthem performance and again during recognition was powerful. Leonard did not just represent his school with his play. He represented it with his voice, his heart, and his leadership.
Covering this match reminded me why Unified programs matter. It is not just about the scoreboard. It is about belonging. It is about community. It is about moments that bring people together.
I left the gym with a full memory card and a grateful heart.
Jillian Loff
SportzWire
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