By Jessica Yuwanto
UW News Lab

Last Friday, April 6, Ballard High School held its second annual Students vs. Staff basketball game. The gym was packed with locals eager to see if the students would avenge last year’s loss.

But before the big game began, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Seattle Fire Department (SFD) took part in a friendly game of hoops for the crowd.

The Fire Department won the match 60-53 after Paul Arnold and Joey Thomas, the high school’s football coach, scored a combined 29 points for the team. Team SFD may have stolen the win, but track coach Norris Frederick, who participated in Team SPD, brought his dunks to the rim as he scored 27 points for the officers.

It was then time for the long anticipated game between the students and teachers. Team Staff proved early on that they were determined to defend their win from last year by leading 34-22 at the end of the first half. Principal Keven Wynkopp, along with Thomas and Frederick, brought their offense to the court.

During the second half, however, Team Students’ Ray Owens and Luke Beutjer showed their offensive agility, while Shelby Bailess and Nate Rauda put their guards up for defense. With less than 1:30 left to play, the students led by one point.

The gymnasium was filled with tension with 41 seconds left on the clock. The score was tied 70-70. It seemed Team Students might actually win this one and make the series 1-1. But then came Thomas’ three-point buzzer beater. Team Students’ hopes perished as the staff snatched the 73-70 win.

When asked about how his students played, Principal Wynkopp said: “We’ve actually been hearing [the talk because last year, they didn’t expect to lose and when they did, they didn’t want to experience that embarrassment again. We thought they’d try a little harder they were practicing for the game, where for us old folks, we just came out to play.”