On Friday, March 22, Parkland High School hosted the annual Student vs Faculty Basketball Game. The game is sponsored by the Key Club, and the proceeds raised through ticket sales were donated to the Pediatric Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.
The participants included a team of 15 senior students and 10 faculty members, all volunteer members who joined. When The Trumpet asked Mrs. Morgan why she chose to play, she said, “Growing up I played so many different sports, however, basketball was never one of them. So honestly I was inspired by a group of my other teacher friends to play for the first time 2 years ago. They had all had at least some sort of basketball experience and assured me that it was all for fun and would not be too serious. While I can say that the first game was a little more serious than they had promised, it was also so much fun and has brought me back for a once-a-year basketball experience ever since.”
Similarly, Mr. Lessel commented that he chose to play because “I love supporting such a great cause. I also love sports; I played basketball for Parkland when I was a student here and getting the opportunity to play and compete again is always exciting.”
Mrs. Morgan also shared why she believes the game to be important. She said, “I believe this game is important because it brings the school community together for a great cause and allows students to connect with their teachers outside the classroom. For this game, teachers and students get the chance to put the tests, essays, and grades aside and have fun. Plus it gives us the chance to meet students and other teachers that we may not always get to see!”
The first quarter of the game set the tone for the intensity of the evening; all of the players gave 100%of their effort for their team. Some notable moments included when both Caroline Cohen and Nick Hetman made points for the student team, as well as when Mr. Mosby earned the teachers three more points with only ten seconds left on the board. The entire game Mosby was a highlight on the court, deserving of the title, in The Trumpet’s opinion, of Most Valuable Player.
The game was tied with four minutes left in the second quarter. Mr. Parkland’s own Dennis Marube made an impressive layup, with Mr. Dieter scoring right afterwards. Before half time the scoreboard was 21 to 17, with the teachers ahead. It was shaping up to be a very close game.
During half-time, Emily, a representative from the Pediatric Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, made a speech about the work of the organization, letting all of the audience know of the good cause they were supporting. Then, Key Club members launched tee shirts at the crowd, adding to the audience’s experience.
The third quarter of the game was nail-biting. Mr. Wilmer, Lessel, and Mosby all made baskets. 2024 class president Tim Saad (or ‘Troy Bolton’ as announcer Nolan Coen deemed him) also made some notable plays this quarter. Aidan Gallagher derived ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ in front of the audience when he intercepted the ball from Mr. Facchiano, and Mrs. Miller made an impressive score with less than a minute left on the clock. The teachers were ahead, leading by ten points.
In the fourth and final quarter, Mr. Lessel, and Sha-ron Graham both scored baskets. Time out was called with only five minutes left on the clock. The students were making an impressive comeback with teachers only leading 44 to 41. In these final moments, the audience was on the edge of their seats and the players delivered many exciting moments. Mr. Facchiano attempted to gain the teachers points, only for the ball to go around the rim. Graham, however, successfully made his second score of the game which set the students up for a win. Shocked gasps from the audience ensued when a foul ball was called during a tussle between Mr. Facchiano and student player Trevor Grice. It was all in good fun, however, and both players were seen being friendly after the game. Mosby made a final chance at a teacher’s redemption, making a basket with only 47 seconds left in the game. Unfortunately for the faculty, however, the students made a landslide win by 4 points, with the final score being 50-46.
The student’s victory was a cause for celebration for much of the audience, composed of mostly students used to seeing their peers get crushed year after year. However, spirits were high on all sides, and both the faculty and student teams alike got together after the game to pose for a picture, solidifying their joint effort to support the Pediatric Foundation and give the seniors some fun memories before they enter the next chapter of their lives.
Overall, there were many star players in the game, with both teams giving their all and supporting a great cause. When asked why teachers and students should consider participating in the game next year, Mr. Lessel told The Trumpet, “It’s so much fun! Sports are fun, competition is fun, and this game raises money for a great cause. I would absolutely encourage more people to participate next year. It’s a great event!”
Mrs. Morgan said, “I think other students and teachers should participate in the game because it gives you a chance to participate in an activity that not only gives back to a good cause but has also been a highlight in many high school and teaching careers. It provides students with the opportunity to see their teachers in a different light and has helped me connect with students I would have maybe never otherwise met (plus playing basketball makes you look super cool).”
Whether or not you feel cool on the court, The Student v Faculty Basketball game is an exhilarating and entertaining experience for both the players and audience. Consider supporting the Key Club and Pediatric Foundation of the Lehigh Valley next year by joining one of the energetic teams, or coming out to Parkland High School to see for yourself the magic of this annual tradition.