Last year’s staff basketball game didn’t end well for Seaholm. A loss to crosstown rival Groves is never a good thing. So this year, the teachers were determined to succeed.
And succeed they did.
Coached by fellow teacher Ben Harwood, Seaholm’s squad defeated Groves by a score of 49-45.
“We were just trying to represent our school,” said Don Watchowski, who led Seaholm’s team with a total of 14 points.
Seaholm got off to a fast start, scoring seven unanswered points before Groves was able to get on the board. They continued to dominate, leading 13-4 at the end of the first quarter.
However, Groves began to gain momentum in the second quarter. A number of three-pointers helped them to narrow Seaholm’s lead and trailing by only one point with a score of 28-27 at halftime.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Groves was leading 41-33. Seaholm was able to gain the lead, benefitting from the numerous fouls dealt by Groves, outscoring them 16-4 to win the game.
“The fourth quarter got pretty serious,” said Watchowski.
Math teacher Eric Bruns said that there was a reason for the late comeback.
“We put in the game all of our good free throw shooters in the end,” said Bruns. “You’ll notice I wasn’t playing a single minute of the fourth quarter.”
Bruns was a common target for the Groves offense, being fouled three times.
“I think that they’re just prejudiced I guess maybe because I just happen to look good on the court,” said Bruns, “and they’re out there in grungy old sweatpants and shorts, and they saw me.”
Bruns was sporting slacks, a blue dress shirt, and a tie underneath his jersey.
Though he had difficulty making his free throws, Bruns was a favorite among students. At one point during the fourth quarter, Bruns went over to the student section and got some advice on how to enhance his game.
“They gave me pointers on how to improve my foul shot—more arc,” said Bruns.
Along with Bruns and Watchowski, Seaholm’s lineup included Andrew Barnes,Scott Craig, Dan Drapal, Chris Fahr, Sam Gerlach, Julie Gould, Christy Henry, Leslie Martin, Amanda McDonald, Jamie Seaman, Evan Treharne, Josh Young, Jeff Devantier, and Lou Pavlov.
Junior Richaud Pack, co-captain of Seaholm’s varsity basketball team, was impressed with the teachers’ performances.
“It was a great game, real competitive,” said Pack. “The whole crowd lost their voices and the atmosphere was great.”
The venue, which was sponsored by the Seaholm Highlander and the Groves Scriptor, earned an estimated $1700. Seaholm’s share of the proceeds will be going to the families of teachers Keith Bernacki and Connie Irby.
