On Thursday, November 13, the gym was packed with many spectators during lunch. The crowd was buzzing, and all eyes focused on the court; everybody was ready to see a battle between students and the staff in a team basketball pickup game. Coming into the game, some of the players expressed some worry but also confidence.

“I was very nervous, and then I saw more people walk in and I was like, ‘That’s a lot of people,’” said varsity player Corvin Danan (12).

This special event is usually hosted once every year, creating a unique high school experience to not only show off, but to even compete against more mature and stronger players. Representing the staff were various staff members, including teachers, administration, and even the janitors, laced up against the students. They were ready to settle it in the court, especially AP Computer Science teacher Mr. James Douglass.

“I know Kyle [Henderson] and Ashton [Flores]. They had my class [before], and they were talking before the game, and it was really fun to compete with them,” said Douglass.

The game started with the opening tip-off going to the staff. From here on out, the game remained close, with the staff and students trading buckets from each end—both teams with great chemistry and ball movement. The exciting stuff that students were anticipating was just about to happen.

About four minutes into the game, the crowd was captivated by an amazing defensive stop by Mr. Douglass, who sent a wide-open Akai Burk’s (12) shot flying out of bounds.

“I would like to highlight when I got blocked by Mr. Douglass and Tintor, and then [Tintor] did the ‘no-no’ on me,” said Burks.

Akai would later in the game get another chance to score in an open lane. Unfortunately, his shot was also denied again, this time by the theater director, Mr. Jaime Tintor.

“I don’t know who it was, but I sent his shot flying into the stands. I felt really good about that,” said Tintor

Players like Burks, Jonah Boyd (10), and Nelson Diaz (11) opened the beginning of the game, representing the students with long shots and incredible breakaways. The lead was close between each side, but the crowd would soon get a shocking outcome from the staff.

The game continued on, with even one of the administrators of the school, Assistant Principal Nicholas Hale, coming in playing the center position, and bullying his way into the post to score many points for the team, along with playing decent defense against the students.

One of the best moments of the game came from a shot made by English teacher Ms. Lara Alsaid, one of only two women who played in a basketball game full of men. On Alsaid’s second possession after receiving a rebound, she would push off one of her students, Jake Reeder (12), who came to guard her, sending the crowd into laughter at the humorous action. Alsaid would then step back and bank a wide-open mid-range shot, cutting the lead down to one against the students.

“It felt so good to score on my own students because now I get to hold that over them for the rest of the year,” said Alsaid.

The crowd roared the loudest when an almost crazy poster dunk was completed by Nathaniel Baca (12). Blocking Alsaid’s shot at the other end, Baca grabbed the ball and rushed down the court with the jets turned on, with Activities Director Mr. Randy Reams coming through like a freight train. Soaring through the air with two hands on the ball, Baca would miss the dunk, but still cling to the rim, signaling an almost legendary moment in the game.

“I would like to highlight Nathaniel for almost posterizing Mr. Reams,” said Danan.

Once the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of the game, the students ended up winning 18-14, but the teachers put together a great fight. Many different students put up a lot of points to win the entire game, but the staff were still very productive in their own sense. One of the top scorers of the game was Assistnant Principal Hale, who dominated the low post for the staff, while players such as Henderson, Diaz, and Boyd would put up many baskets for the students.

“The game was fun and a very cool experience. A lot of people came out to support the students, and I had a lot of fun,” said Diaz.

It was a big win for the students; however, both the staff team and students had enjoyed playing together and collaborating. The staff are still up for a second round when a new band of students comes in to play next year.

“I would do any sport that they choose to do. Again, I think it’s just a fun experience for everyone,” said Alsaid.