On Friday, March 29, the Bromfield seniors narrowly defeated the Harvard Public Schools staff 53-50 in the annual staff-senior basketball game. Fans filled the bleachers in the Bromfield gym, yelling encouragement to both sides as the teams battled for the win.
Last week’s game was the 53rd such contest. “It is one of the trademark community events in our school and town,” said senior Patrick Flanagan, fun to watch and “especially fun to play in.” Dean of Students Julie Horton added, “I think it’s nice, too, for students to see us in a different light.”
In addition to carrying on a fun tradition, this game was the first to include mixed-gender staff and senior teams. Both teams wore rainbow clothing, such as socks and bandanas, on the court. AP psychology teacher Kathleen Doherty, who has witnessed or played in these games for 26 years, said since “we have more students and staff identifying as transgender, or gender neutral or gender fluid or gender nonconforming … it really occurred to me that some students and staff might not want to play on a gender-specific team.” She said she appreciated the support and openness of the administration to make this change.
The game is played in 30-minute halves, each divided into 1.5 minute rounds. For the first half, it’s senior girls versus faculty women; for the second half it’s boys against faculty men. At the end of each round, the senior team is replaced by five fresh players; the staff team is relieved every two rounds. Faculty and student relievers waited in line for their turn to jump into the game.
Ninth-grade English teacher Chris Jones provided commentary, and at 6:45 he announced the names of female members of the staff and the Bromfield seniors, each player receiving her fair share of applause.
The game got underway at 7 p.m. and was intense from the start. Within the first few minutes, seniors Madison Drummey and Madison Edmonds, and eighth-grade English teacher Cristin Hodgens had scored. A mix of skill-levels was on display throughout the first half; some groups knew their way around the court, while others were fouled often and had a rough time controlling the ball. Despite a team’s experience, or lack thereof, each played hard and to the best of its ability, and all team members were red-faced as they returned to their places on the bench.
Some of the most celebrated shots were the work of Doherty, who scored just a minute into the third round and once more in the 10th. The staff surprised the audience with its talent, which included some amazing performances by seventh-grade Spanish teacher Sabiha Madraswalla, Horton, learning assistant Gayle Bruning, and language department head Jennifer Fraser.
Fish, tie-dies, goggles
Each round of players introduced a new “uniform” with decorative accessories, although all the seniors wore the same shirt design: a fish encircling a basketball. The fish, which symbolizes the “fishbowl,” a lounge exclusively for seniors, “just seemed to become a symbol or mascot for the class of 2019,” said senior and designer Kelsey Foster. “It seemed fitting to incorporate it on the shirts for the game.” Some of the most eye-catching dress of the evening included tie-dye shorts, gold hair ribbons, goggles, leis, reflective visors, and tutus.
At the end of the first half, the women had put the staff ahead 31-16. After a half-time practice, Jones announced the male staff and senior boys. Senior Alex Magan cartwheeled onto the court as he was introduced.
In the second round of the half, the referee made an unpopular call. Drummey stood to boo and was quickly joined by her courtside teammates. Soon enough the audience caught on and the gym echoed with their boos. But the mood soon flipped. Senior Yohhan Kumarasinghe scored a 3-pointer and the crowd erupted, cheering his impressive shot. Ninth-grade math teacher Joshua Thurston then dribbled to the basket for an incredible lay-up. At the end of the round, the seniors regained possession and scored again.
Round five was played by a senior team dressed as construction workers. Despite bulky helmets and neon orange vests, the boys played well, and seniors Andrew Loveluck and Charlie Bardenheuer made an amazing run down the court for a 2-pointer.
‘Let’s go, seniors’
In the latter part of the half, Flanagan dunked the ball, much to the spectators’ delight. The girls began a chant of “Let’s go, seniors, let’s go!” As if inspired by the chant, senior Baylor Ashe scored a 3-pointer. The crowd went wild.
Principal Scott Hoffman had the final word. Though the outcome wasn’t optimal for the staff, he said, it was nice to see the seniors have fun. “When the seniors get really close, because they haven’t won very many times, and when the game is really competitive the way it was on Friday night, the gym gets loud and you feel a really good spirit in there, and I think that’s really what it’s about, ” he said.
Sophia Zhou is a Bromfield freshman.
