GROTON, Conn. – Just before spring recess, members of the student leadership hosted the first-ever in-school student-faculty basketball match at Fitch High School.
The match was played at the newly named Mike Ellis Gymnasium during the school day. Students had to follow a half-day schedule to make the game possible. The event was hosted by the student leadership team under the direction of Ms. Christina Scala. Other contributors included Mr. Jason Wolfradt and senior Griffin Pollard.
The matches were set with two games happening simultaneously, and played on a half-court. The freshmen vs. juniors and sophomores vs. seniors were the first round of play. All teams had 15 minutes to secure a victory. The winning student side would then go on to play the staff in a championship match using the full court.
The first matches ended in a victory for the seniors and juniors. Next, the two teams played each other, which resulted in a win for the seniors. Carlos Rhymer and Camilla Sanchez scored several points, and Xavier Goode had multiple baskets for the junior side. The final score for this round was 24-20 in favor of the seniors.
The sophomores and freshmen then played a consolation game in which the sophomores avoided last place. Notable players included Bryce Williams for the freshman, and Jayda Johnson and Gabe Georges for the sophomores.
The championship game began with students looking forward to watching the Fitch faculty. The staff prepared a diverse lineup from English teachers Jesse Stripling and Dan Giovinazzo to SRO Bousquet. Fitch alumnus Justice Farris was also on the team.
Throughout the game, the seniors dominated play. Carlos Rhymer and Camila Sanchez were both able to score during the match. The faculty members only managed to score six points, headed by Danielle Robillard, who scored the first point and took MVP, along with Bousquet, and Giovinazzo. The teachers were also supported by the underclassmen spectators during the game, chanting for the teachers to “beat the seniors.” Despite the chants, the seniors triumphed with a final score of 27-6 over the faculty.
The event was initially set to encourage higher attendance throughout the school. With a 90% average attendance across all grades, this was made possible.
