Cantarero gives Gavin Vetter (’26) a fist bump as the team arrives for their pregame meal. It’s a simple gesture that sets the tone. “I fist bump my teammates and let them know to work together,” Cantarero said. Added Vetter, “It just helps bring everyone together—it makes us feel like one team.”
Cantarero grabs a bag of Cheetos from the snack box, fueling up before the game before chatting with teammates. For Unified players, this pregame moment is more than a snack—it’s a ritual of bonding. Relaxed energy calms nerves and builds excitement.
Sam Folger (’25) hands Cantarero his number 12 jersey. Cantarero grins, knowing it’s game time. “I support my teammates by giving encouragement—high fives, reminders to try their best,” Folger said. The handoff is quiet but powerful, a sign of belief and readiness.
Focused and locked in, Cantarero shoots from the foul line during warm-ups. Each shot carries a bit more weight than the last. On the bench, his teammates cheer. “Unified is a sport I can be in,” Cantarero said. “It isn’t hard, and they are nice.”
With his eyes fixed on the basket, Cantarero stands at his favorite spot on the court. Around him, his teammates shoot and laugh, but Hector is calm—mentally preparing for the challenge ahead. It’s his moment of peace before the storm.
Coach Gresik delivers his final instructions in the huddle. The team leans in—no word is wasted. “My team and I before each game come up with great plans,” Cantarero shared. The moment is intense but hopeful; the players’ unity is their strength.
Cantarero prepares to crouch, ready for the tip-off. The bench hums with excitement as he eyes the ball. This leap will set the tempo—and Cantarero’s body language says he’s ready to lead.
Cantarero drives down the court, preparing to make a layup with Mendham defenders closing in on him. The crowd erupts as he pushes forward, determined to score. Teammates call out from the bench, urging him to finish the play. His focus remains unshaken, as he takes his shot.
On the bench between Jayden (left) and Manny (right), Cantarero clutches his sign and cheers. Even off the court, his presence fuels the team. He leans in, invested in every pass, every shot, every second. Every play matters, and his energy fuels the team from the sidelines as they battle on the court.
Game over. Victory. As the scoreboard shows 36-33, Cantarero high-fives players from Mendham. No matter the outcome, this is what Unified is about—respect, inclusion and shared joy. “The club is so much more than just basketball, track and football. It’s about family and how everyone works with each other to achieve one common goal,” Joey Bosotina (’26) said.
