This school year, Spirit Week held its first ever outside prep rally. While this allowed for a safe environment for students to enjoy the festivities, it left out one important tradition, competitions between the students and the faculty. However, before the holiday break, the teachers and students returned to the court to continue the rivalry game, which fundraises for Mealey’s Meals. 

This year, the students, coached by Varsity Owls Forward Luke Suprenant,  put together a promising team that included many former basketball players including Griffin Roeger, Cole Newman, Matt Blackadar, and KC Achilles. Cole Newman was unfortunately sidelined from the game, leaving room for new players such as John Kayyal, Caden Donahue, and Jack Condon. 

The undefeated faculty sported some core returners and some promising newcomers. Coach Bauman, Coach Brown, Coach Horgan, Ms. Law, and Coach Fitz, who was coming off an ankle injury, rounded out the starting five for the faculty. School Trainer Gina Carbone, Ms. Labate, and Ms. Donnely also played in the game. However, the faculty were missing some of their core players who opted out this year. They were also missing a teacher reffing the game with Mr. Kelly giving way to Sean Chanikira and Ethan Stewart.

Starting lineups were announced by Ted Bilicki, and then the game was underway. A sizable student section showed up to support the students and heckel the teachers. Despite the crowd’s efforts, the faculty got out to a quick lead with baskets from Coach Brown, Coach Horgan, and Coach Fitz. Griffin Roeger added a basket or two for the students, but it was not enough to stop the surging teachers. The game seemed to be leading to a blowout till Jack Condon entered the game and turned the tide. 

Jack Condon rained three after three, closing the distance between the teachers and the students. Jack Condon thought,”everyone on the team put in a really good effort and played great.” Despite his best efforts, the teachers were able to pull away with key baskets from Coach Fitz, Coach Horgan, and trainer Gina Carbone. Coach Horgan thought that the key to the faculty’s success was, ” playing as a team and getting a good shot.” He thought the teachers had “good ball movement, which generated good looks and baskets.” 

Even though the event took place outside spirit week, there was a large student presence in the gym, as students sported signs such as “Fitz is Washed” and “I heart Meatball.” There were cheers and boos from the lively student section. As a spectator, I enjoyed being able to watch the game again this year after missing the game last year. Students were also able to participate in a tug of war contest between classes during halftime, which the juniors won. 

Overall, this was a promising year for the students. They were able to keep the game close and brought it back into single digits multiple times. They will have key players such as Jack Condon, Caden Donahue, and Matt Blackadar returning for next year. The teachers on the other hand have an aging core that continues to shrink every year. While there are many younger skilled faculty, the students are gaining the edge on teachers, and may be able to break the faculty’s undefeated streak next year.