Burrell High School unified bocce team get fine escort upon its return from the playoffs

The Burrell High School unified bocce team rolled back from the playoffs in style Thursday night.

The team returned to the high school at 5:45 p.m. with an escort from city fire and police following the team’s playoffs at Plum earlier in the day, said parent Courtney Kobelenske.

Sixteen students are on the team, half of whom are special education students. Burrell started its unified bocce team two years ago.

The Burrell bocce team is part of the Special Olympics Interscholastic Unified Sports program.

“It is a full community event,” Kobelenske said. “The last game we had, there was nowhere to sit. It was full.”

Bocce players try to roll larger balls close to a smaller ball called a pallino. Points are awarded for the closeness of the bocce balls to the pallino.

While Burrell is not advancing, the athletes were all smiles when returning back to the city with their escort.