Basketball game nets $8,000 for schools
By:Donna Lukiw
Chants of "Let’s Go Wildcats!" "Let’s go Eagles!" could be heard outside the high school’s gym Friday, as Amsterdam and Woods Road students rooted for their mascots and tried to out scream their rivals.
The students were participating in a fundraising project the first Amsterdam vs. Woods Road basketball game.
Inside, the gym was a sea of blue and white "Amsterdam Eagles" wore white, while "Woods Road Wildcats" dressed in navy blue.
And as the gym filled with the teams’ supporters, the theme was "Who will Soar and Who will Roar?"
The project was the brainchild of Nina Casperson, president of the Home and School Association of Amsterdam, who thought it would be a fun idea to build school spirit and develop a fun rivalry between neighborhood schools while parents, teachers and administrators played basketball and helped fill the coffers of the Home and School Associations of both schools.
"Nina contacted the Woods Road Home and School Association and everyone was very enthusiastic," said Ellen Sanders, who works at Woods Road School.
At 7 p.m., it was time to start and the anticipation was palpable. Who was going to walk away with the massive trophy and claim bragging rights?
Principal Mary Ann Mullady of Amsterdam School and Woods Road Principal Scott Rocco start the game with a tipoff.
Though several inches shorter than Mr. Rocco, Ms. Mullady gained control of the ball, dribbled and ran toward the basket.
Instead of a slashing layup or Michael Jordan-like fading jump shot, she stopped, stepped on a ladder and dunked the ball.
Go Amsterdam!
That shot didn’t really count, however, and Woods Road players actually scored first, leading 2-0.
Amsterdam’s team was comprised of 12 teachers and Ms. Mullady, 28 parents, teacher spouses and family members and 11 teacher cheerleaders.
Wood’s Road’s team was made up of 15 staff members including teachers, classroom assistants and the head custodian, 15 parents and about 12 teacher cheerleaders.
"I decided to play on the team because I am both a teacher at Woods Road and a parent of two students here," Janice Genes, math content specialist said. "It’s a good opportunity to show our children that winning isn’t everything and that you can still enjoy the sport.
"The students enjoy watching their teachers play as well as their parents," she added.
On the court, the game began to heat up.
Five seconds after the first shot, Amsterdam school scored again and then scored once more about 10 seconds later.
Woods Road took control of the ball and tried to pass but Amsterdam players stole the ball … a Woods Road player went down … and Amsterdam sunk a basket again.
Score 8-2.
A Woods Road player went down again, but she quickly stood up and, with no time to lose, was back in the game.
With only six minutes and 20 seconds to go in the first period, the teams huddled during a timeout and discussed their next plays.
Woods Road made seven unanswered points, and grabbed the lead by the end of the first period.
Score: 16-14.
"The kids were so excited and I organized a pep rally that was held on Friday," Rebecca Barajas, the coach of Amsterdam’s team said. "The students showed so much spirit and it was well worth all the effort that went into it."
Meanwhile, in front of the Amsterdam bleachers four brave girls, with cheerleading scripts in hand, began to cheer for their team.
On the court, Woods Road took control of the ball again, but Amsterdam swept through, stole the ball and scored with seven minutes to go in the second quarter.
Score 27-16, Amsterdam leads.
With only eight seconds left in the second quarter, Woods Road took two shots and missed both. Amsterdam stole the ball, Woods Road got it back, and finally scored with only one second to go.
Score 32-25 and Amsterdam still had the lead.
By the third quarter Woods Road had fallen nine points behind.
Mr. Rocco jumped into the game and tried his hardest to block, steal or do something so Amsterdam doesn’t score again. He was breathing heavily and perspiring, but Amsterdam remained ahead 41-32.
"I am ready to give it my all so that we could win that trophy," Amsterdam’s kindergarten teacher Candice Cabel said.
Out in the stands, a student from Amsterdam flashes her poster: "GO AMSTERDAM EAGLS" a clear message despite the misspelling.
In the fourth period, the Amsterdam School Eagle mascot grabbed the trophy and teased Woods Road, to distract them from the game, but the plan backfired and Woods Road sunk another ball in.
It wasn’t enough Amsterdam claimed the title, 62-58.
The most import part of the night, however, was the money raised for the Home and School Associations $4,000 for each school.
Ms. Sanders said about 900 tickets were sold, and in addition to the raffles and drawings Friday night, more than $8,000 was raised.
"The money will go to the Home and School Association for the various projects throughout the year," Ms. Sanders said.
After the game, Ms. Mullady hoisted the 3-foot tall trophy, which her school will display until next year when a rematch is planned.
"We all enjoyed good sportsmanship, great school spirit and exciting family fun," Ms. Mullady said. "We can’t wait until next year."
And despite losing (and the potential sore muscles), Mr. Rocco praised the event.
"It has developed a very friendly and fun rivalry between the schools," Mr. Rocco said. "Hopefully it is the start of a tradition between the two schools."