The long anticipated showdown between the students and staff finally took to the court on Friday, December 9. The students went into the game with a lot to prove, given the self-inflicted rivalry they created on Twitter. The bantering was incited by senior Connor Miller when he called out school counselor Matthew Shervington back in November. Throughout the week leading up to the game, other members of the student team chipped in. Shervington loved the hype, and thought it was incredibly beneficial. “I thought it was hilarious,” said Shervington. “It got people to come out just to see the hilarity play out on the court.”  Both teams then proceeded to make videos in which they talked trash to each other about their basketball skills, or lack thereof.

Before the main event, the four student teams faced off in a short tournament, which saw the juniors as victorious over the sophomores in the championship game.

The big game finally kicked off after lengthy introductions that felt like the entire student body was introduced. The students kept it close early in the game, as a group of juniors including Chris Norris, Alec Kramer, and Josh Smiley all contributed beneficial shooting performances. But as the game dragged on, the teachers’ size finally began playing to their advantage, as they excelled in the inside scoring and rebounding departments. In the end, the staff came out victorious by a score of 49-41. Shervington cited the trash talk as the teachers’ way to victory. “After all of our trash talk, there’s no way we could go out there and save face if we lost,” Shervington said.

Despite the excitement and hype that surrounded the game itself, what should not be overlooked is the primary reason behind the game, which was to raise money for both Avedium and Mini-Thon. Avedium, which supports mental health awareness, and Mini-Thon, which raises money for childhood cancer research. Both raised over $500 dollars apiece from the event. “It was a fun environment,” said Miller, “it was a different environment for teachers and students, even though some of those teachers treated it like it was game 7 of the NBA Finals.” Miller would definitely welcome a rematch in the spring.  “Absolutely. I’m sure the juniors would carry that team, but I feel we could come out victorious,” said Miller.  It is safe to say that the event was well received throughout the school and will prove a successful event in future years.