On Thursday, May 24th, Open Meadow staff and students from the 2006-07 Goat basketball team squared off in the annual staff vs. student basketball game. Excitement ran high, and the lead up to the game was full of predictions of victory from both teams.

Staff jumped to an early 12-2 lead, but a couple of key steals by Devaunte and a flurry of three-pointers by Otho, Nihiem, and Devaunte quickly tied the score at 23 points a piece. Staff then went on another small run, but thanks to the rebounding efforts of Dan and Robbie on both sides of the court, the students were well within reach with a halftime score of 38-31 favoring the staff.

Despite the wear and tear of the first-half, both sides came out in the second-half with new-found energy, partially fueled by the cheers of the staff and students who came out to witness the game. Staff once again began to extend on their lead, but the up and down hustle play of Jai, Terrance, and Dillon increased the pace to a level that favored the students. With five minutes remaining the score was 54-53, with staff holding on to a narrow one-point lead.

After slowing down the pace, staff once again began to extend the lead. The students were within reach with three minutes remaining, but a pair of back-to-back threes suddenly extended the staff lead to 11 with just over a minute to play.

When the final buzzer sounded, staff claimed an 83-68 victory. Smiles abounded throughout, and congratulations were showered back and forth between the teams following the game. A good time was had by participants and spectators alike, and everyone left beaming with Goat pride.

It is certain staff will do their part in reminding students of the outcome in the days that follow, but as the adage goes—“there is always next year.”