Josiah Quincy Elementary School hosted the fifth annual wheelchair basketball game Feb. 14 with the New England Blazers and the Rollin’ Celtics at the school’s gymnasium. (Image courtesy of Yiming Zhao.)

For the first time, the Quincy Dragons and New England Blazers tied in the wheelchair basketball game held on Feb. 14 at Josiah Quincy Elementary School. This Valentine’s Day marked the school’s fifth annual wheelchair basketball game with the New England Blazers and the Rollin’ Celtics. Students from the Carter School came to the game and cheered for the players. The Carter School serves grades six-to-12 school for students with cognitive delay, physical handicaps and complex medical conditions.

“Many of our students are wheelchair-bound,” said Josiah Quincy Elementary School Principal Cynthia Soo Hoo. “When we learned about the wheelchair basketball league they had, we were very interested in having them come here. Having them come here allows our students to see that it doesn’t matter your disabilities, it matters that you could still make things happen.”

Principal Soo Hoo played in the game and successfully scored two points for the Quincy Dragons. She said not having the use of her legs when playing was humbling. The game gave her a greater appreciation for people who are wheelchair-bound and she wishes to keep the game has an honored tradition for the school.

About 12 teachers and staff participated in the game this year. Physical education teacher Tom Levett organized the first game back in 2016. He wanted to make students using wheelchairs feel like part of the community. The Quincy school, completed in 1976, is one of the wheelchair-accessible buildings for the Boston Public Schools district.

The Boston Public School Wellness Department also attended the game. The department plans to bring the game to more public schools in Boston.