Math teacher Joshua Milstein and digital junior Tyson Jimerson stand head to head, ready to kick off the game. An alarm blares through the gymnasium, signaling for the two to begin the game — they jump and reach for the ball during the toss up. Jimerson quickly grabs the ball but the teachers soon take it back. 

The annual Student Teacher Basketball Game took place in the gymnasium March 12. Students from the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams represented the student body as they played against teachers and staff. Historically, the teachers have never won against the students in Ms. Bennett’s time as principal. 

“We’re trying to have a good time,” athletics director Matthew Vaughan said. “It’s not really about winning (or) losing even though we want to win. But it’s to make everybody happy. We’re trying to participate and to show them that we’re real people, not just robot teachers.”

After the first quarter, the teachers were up 8-2. Students met up in a team huddle and planned how to make a comeback while the teachers drank some water and prepared to get back out on the court. Theatre freshman Zachary Turner gave his opinion on how to make the comeback after the first quarter.

“We’re tired right now,” Turner said. “I mean, we just gotta push hard because we’re getting a little tired (and) we’re getting a little sloppy. So we just (have) got to watch our defense and their passes and stuff like that.”

The students made a comeback with band senior Nathan Goldin making multiple baskets, bringing the score to 26-26 right as the second quarter finished. While the Powderpuff dancers and Step Team took their places for the halftime show, both sides had to get prepared to end the game. As the teams ran out to start the second half, students in the bleachers screamed for both teams. 

“It was very nerve-racking,” communications freshman Kaitlyn Maldonado said. “I feel like it’s more pressure (than) in a regular game (where) I feel like there’s less people from the whole school. I was kind of nervous, but it was fun.”

With less than a minute left of the 4th quarter, the teachers were up by two points, raising the score to 35-33. Students like Jimerson and Turner tried to get the ball back, however, once it was in Assistant Principal Jennifer Napuli’s hands, there was no going back. Right before the alarm blared, signaling the end of the game, Ms. Napuli jumped up and made the final shot: a layup.

“I had missed so many others, but I’m glad I was able to seal the win for the team,” Ms. Napuli said. 

While teachers like history teacher Jeffrey Stohr and Ms. Napuli said they were concerned about the game and assumed they would lose, math teacher Mr. Milstein had full confidence in his team. 

“I’m new here,” Mr. Milstein said. “And we’re undefeated since I’ve been here, so it’s gonna keep going year after year.”

After the game ended, students, including Jimerson, looked back and reflected on the game in order to get ready for next year. 

“They (the teachers) don’t take anything for granted,” Jimerson said. “They gave us everything they got and they deserve to win. You know, I love seeing them go hard and play basketball like they’re our age. It’s a lot of fun playing with them, so I can’t complain at all.”