On Friday night, Albany High School will take on Shenendehowa for the Unified Basketball championship. It's been quite a journey for AHS student Condell Miller.

"I was nervous to be, at the first time, at practice," he said. "But now I feel great."

“I get more from this than anything else that I’ve done," said AHS Coach Matthew Moore, who's in his 30th year teaching special education at the school.

“To watch these kids who aren’t normally included become included, and see them compete some at a high level ... just the pure enjoyment they get is something hard to put into words," said Moore.

Just a sophomore on the team, Kathleen Berry says this experience is shaping her career aspirations.

“It actually made me think about going into special education in the future," she said.

But for now, it's about the present and a chance for a championship.

“Tomorrow, I'll be excited," Miller said. "I’m just ready, I gotta work hard and practice. I gotta work hard to win this thing."

The Special Olympics New York Unified Games are underwritten locally by Capital Region Honda Dealers.