Although the Staff team led 13-10 at the half, younger legs won out with the students making up the deficit and winning 28-22.
“The student’s performance in the second half was uncanny,” said High School Teacher John Barnett. “It was like wolverine was on the other team, and he willed his team to victory…again.”
The Bulldogs were led by top scorer and Bulldog Award winner Stevie Harvey.
“I was happy to win the Bulldog award because it’s about more than being good at basketball; it’s about sportsmanship and effort too,” said Stevie.
Students and staff came out to support both teams with handmade signs.
“On my sign I drew to cartoons from the Peanuts movie and wrote ‘Snoopy and Woodstock wish you good luck,” said one junior high student. “It was an amazing game. Both teams were really aggressive, and there were a lot of great plays.”
One of the most unbelievable plays of the game was when Upper Elementary Teacher Teresa Calano made a reverse hook shot for two points in the second half.
“The boys were too tall to shoot over so I did a reverse hook shot,” said Teresa. “It was pure luck that I made it!”
The afternoon concluded with a short ceremony back Stanbridge in the Marilyn Center. In addition to a few special awards including the Bulldog Award, Sportsmanship, and Most Improved, each of the student players was congratulated on a season well done and presented with a framed team photo.
“Right now the Bay Area Small School Athletic League (BASSAL) is just getting off the blocks,” said Coach Mark Kelley. “...but next year it’s going to be even better organized with more games and sports. Basketball is the hub of this league.”
This is the seventh year the staff versus student basketball game has taken place. The students currently lead the series 4-3.