The Bobcats Continue To Roll, Clarion Area Bobcats Unified Bocce Team’s Historic First Season Continues After Securing Playoff Spot
Above photo courtesy of Seth Babington – Players from the left JJ Moll; Jack Staley; Nico Stefanos; Amelie O’Neill; Jake O’Neill; Student Helper Marley Kline; Student Helper Kara Wilson; Student Helper, Gabe Anderson; Coach Julie Johnson; Malachi Carrico; and Coach Jill Babington- Student Helpers missing from photo as they were busy with other duties include: Ashlyn Clark, Bobcat Line Judge; Juliet Diehl and Emily O’Toole Bobcat, score keepers; and Elizabeth Estadt, Team Photographer who also helps in Bobcat Line Judging.
It has been a historic first season for the Clarion Area Unified Bocce team, one that the athletes and coaches will cherish for the rest of their lives. And that first season is not over yet as the Bobcats will be advancing to the playoffs.
Just what is Unified Bocce?
Bobcat head coach Jill Babington explained, “The Clarion Area United Bocce team is no ordinary team. It is a special partnership between general education students, who serve as teammates and partners, and special education students, who are the athletes at the heart of the program.
“Together, they compete side by side, playing not as separate groups, but as one unified team. Every match is built on cooperation, trust, and shared effort.”
A brief description of Bocce:
A player from one of the teams tosses the small pallino target ball to start the game. The pallino must land beyond the center line, with players aiming to get their larger, 107mm bocce balls closest to. It is thrown first to start a frame and is the focal point for scoring. The Pallino usually red, white or yellow with a diameter of roughly 40mm–50mm.
The object of the game is to land the larger bocce balls closer to the pallino than the opposing team. The remains in play even if hit by other balls, provided it stays within court boundaries.
If a thrown bocce ball knocks the pallino, the new position of the pallino becomes the target for the rest of that frame. If the pallino is knocked out of the court or fails to pass the center line during the initial toss, the frame is usually restarted, or the opposite team takes the throw.
This team has a never-say-die spirit that has carried them into the playoffs.
“League Champion, A-C Valley had already clinched a playoff berth.
“After being swept by A-C Valley, the kids had two games left. The team needed to perform well to make the playoffs.
“We had a match Thursday February 11th against Keystone. We swept the match. Going into the match our recorded was 2 and 4. The two games in each match actually count as separate matches in a team’s record.
“So going into the match with Redbank Valley on Friday February 13th, our record was 4 and 4. Redbank’s record was also 4 and 4. The winning team would move on to the first round of the playoffs, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at Greenville, where six teams will be competing for an opportunity to move on to the regional competition.”
“Redbank won the first game 9-2. With the season on the line, we won the second game 8-2. Since after the match we both had records of 5-5, the tie breaker came down to point percentage for the season.
“After losing game one and the season on the line, we won the second game, 8-2 and then won the Golden Frame 2-0.”
What is a Golden Frame?
The Golden Frame is a tie-breaking frame to determine the overall winner of a Unified Bocce match. Only one frame is played, with 8 balls total, 4 balls for each team.
A coin toss determines who chooses ball color and throws the pallina first.
The Golden Frame typically features two Special Needs athletes and two partners from the same team.
All other standard bocce rules apply, with the exception of no timeouts being allowed.
The winner of this single frame wins the match.
“Since our point percentage was higher we are the second seed moving onto to playoffs.”
“Since our point percentage was higher we are the second seed moving onto to playoffs. 6 teams will be competing for an opportunity to move onto the regional competition.
“Making the playoffs in their first season is an impressive accomplishment, but for this United Bocce team, the true victory lies in the bonds they’ve formed and the inclusive community they’ve helped build. They have shown that when students come together with respect, empathy, and a shared goal, amazing things can happen—both on and off the court.
“From the very first practice, the team began learning lessons that go far beyond the bocce court. Players quickly discovered the importance of teamwork – how communication, encouragement, and collaboration can improve everyone’s performance.
“Patience became a key skill, as teammates learned to support one another through challenges and celebrate progress, no matter how small.
“Most importantly, the team developed a deep sense of pride: pride in their hard work, pride in one another, and pride in representing their school.”
And the school and community share in this pride.
“In just its very first season, The Clarion Area United Bocce Ball team has already made history – earning a spot in the playoffs and capturing the hearts of the school community along the way.”
Coach Babington shared, “Their success has not gone unnoticed. Students, teachers, and staff throughout the school have rallied around the team, showing incredible school spirit and support. Cheers from the sidelines, words of encouragement in the hallways, and excitement for each match have helped create an atmosphere where every athlete feels valued and celebrated.
“As they head into the playoffs, the team carries with them not just hopes of winning, but the knowledge that they have already achieved something far greater: proving that unity, teamwork, and heart are the true measures of success.”
(What a wonderful endeavour!!!! Keep Making History, Bobcat Unified Bocce!!!! A very special thank you to Coach Babington for her great quotes and the hours upon hours of assistance she was in producing this article, as well as Elizabeth Estadt and Seth Babington for their outstanding photos!!!)
LINK TO VIDEO OF MALACHI TAKING A TURN – COURTESY OF DEBBIE CARRICO
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