Photo by Mark Evans WAHS Unified Bocce’s Sammy White shows his form during Thursday’s match against Fort LeBoeuf at the Joseph A. Massa Gymnasium.

In a preview of what next Thursday’s “Pack the Stands” event might be for the WAHS Unified Bocce team, “the Flannel Panel and cheerleaders were absolutely fantastic,” head coach Cayla Leichtenberger said of Fort LeBoeuf’s 2-0 win over the Dragons on Thursday at Warren Area High School.

“It was a great atmosphere and so many teachers, administrations, students, and community members came to support,” she said. “We hope to improve from tonight and play strong Monday at Seneca. Our final home game will be Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6:15. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. Our goal is to ‘Pack the Stands.'”

Leichtenberger’s main goal was to give the rookie ‘Unified’ team an experience much like a home basketball game, and that happened on Thursday despite the 2-10, 5-6 loss.

“Overall, we had nerves during the first game again, but came back strong for the second,” said Leichtenberger. “I am proud with the results, given it was the first WAHS Unified Bocce match at home, and wish we could have held out to force it to overtime.”

WAHS Unified Bocce starters are Jacob Elmquist, Sophie Walker, Leo Westover, Sophia Fromknecht, Sammy White, Eric Irons, Ella Getner and Keely Southworth.

On Thursday, Irons “had a couple excellent spocks to hit and move the Ft. LeBoeuf balls away from the pallina, resulting in points for us,” explained Leichtenberger. “Honestly all eight contributed. They work great as two groups of four — two athletes and two partners in each group.

“Ft. Leboeuf had a great team with two years of experience,” she said. “I am pleased that our team stuck with them the second game right up until the final roll. We started the second game strong with a three-point lead in the first frame and held the lead up until the fifth frame. Tied 4-4 after the sixth frame, then we had a one-point lead going into the seventh frame, but Ft. LeBoeuf came back and scored two for the win.”