Students vs. staff b-ball game

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Photo courtesy of TJ GLeason

Team Staff won again in a rematch of the two titans last week.

TJ Gleason, Managing Editor

When math teachers start crossing over students faster than they can cross multiply, it can only mean that the annual Staff vs. Students basketball game is upon us.
Heading into the week, the morale of students was very low, as they knew they were facing one of the most talented Staff basketball teams ever assembled. From Gregg Delaney’s outside-of-the-gym range, to Andy Muir’s pro-level ball handling skills, the Staff’s victory seemed almost guaranteed.
“Our game plan was based around the Staff,” said senior Staff coach Brock Vaughn,.“We knew we had a lot better players, and as long as we could out rebound we would be fine.”
The momentum of the game quickly turned in the students’ favor, as senior Matt Tadesse started off the game with a 3-pointer. The student team built up an early lead that they would maintain into the fourth quarter.
Despite the overall size and skill of the staff team, the students knew that they could use their athleticisms and speed to their advantage.
“[We wanted] to capitalize on fast breaks, in the hopes that we could outrun the teachers and tire them out,” said senior player Michael Quinn
In a game in which all believed the staff would claim an easy victory, the students were able to use that underdog mentality to just have fun and play hard, while the staff had to deal with the pressure that goes into being heavily favored.
“Everyone was very surprised we were up at half time,” said senior player Brent Nachison. “[The] students usually lose, so we had low expectations to begin with.”
Could it be? Could the students finally defeat the evil empire that is the WS Staff? That’s what many students were thinking, until math teacher Dawson Allen went on a scoring streak that could rival that of the famous Michael Jordan flu game, or the legendary 81 points put up by Kobe Bryant in the 2006 game against the Raptors.
“I would definitely say Mr. Allen [was the MVP for the staff],” said senior player Tommy Howe, “He was playing just like his brother Ray Allen.”
With that last offensive run, the staff was able to gain a sizable lead, and force the students to turn to their secret weapon, senior Brent Nachison. Unfortunately, despite a plethora of shots put up by Nachison, the seniors were not able to close the gap and retake the lead they had worked so hard to keep.
Despite the painful sting of defeat, the students could not help but to hold their heads high for the effort they had put forth. With standout offensive performances by Tadesse, junior Andrew Cooke and senior Keean Bentley, as well as some great hustle plays by senior Tommy Salvato, the students played with a lot of heart, and gave WS one of the most exciting Staff vs. Students games in recent memory.
“Though it may not have shown on the scoreboard, we were the true champions that day. Why? Because we had the most fun. And that deserves a notch in the good old ‘W’ column in my book,” said Howe.