Eighth-grade hoopsters take on faculty and staff in annual basketball match

The crowd shuffled into the gym. A heightened sense of anticipation was in the air. K-1 students took their usual spot on the faculty bench while sixth-and-seventh-grade fans began waving signs in support of their favorite players.

At stake: bragging rights.

Nattily attired in Hawaiian shirts and bunny ears, the faculty came onto the floor to the sounds of the (very) old classic “The Bunny Hop.” As always, there were a few family matchups that all were eager to watch unfold. Jacob Curtis outscored his mom, Wendy, while Heather and Henry Hart played to a hard-fought tie. Henry Wagg was shut down by a combined double-team/run-and-jump defense by Alice and Geoff Wagg. Cathie Connors came down with a phantom injury rather than face her daughter Jess. Once again, both boys and girls games were close right to the end. One of the prettiest plays was Bella Pickus’s putback dunk.

The faculty has already started stretching and icing in anticipation of next year’s game.