Nothing quite beats the feeling, environment, and overall experience of that last play. Whether it’s a walk off, showdown, buzzerbeater, or hail mary, the exhilaration and excitement that fills these moments is what sports fans strive for. Although not every game ends in these fashions, one school event just might. The Senior vs Staff game has constantly, year after year, given fans, students, and even teachers the suspense they wait for all year. This year’s buzzer beater-game winner by Jerimiah Williams is simply just another addition to teeth-clenching wins for the Senior vs Staff night.
For the past three years, the Senior vs Staff game has always come down to a final play. Whether the staff or student needed a shot to win or a shot to send the game into overtime, it never fails to draw the crowds attention every year. School favorite teachers and coaches come together to take on the graduating class of basketball players that somehow always lead to a sudden death.
This year, Jeremiah Williams for the staff is who sealed the deal. Going into the half down 10 then eventually trailing by as much as 20 in the third quarter, the comeback for the staff was at an all time low. Jayson Gontes, a spectator at the game stated, “I didn’t see any margin for a comeback…anytime the staff caught a streak, the seniors would immediately respond with one of their own.” Although racking up points while in a slump, the seniors constantly responded with a streak of their own, putting out the little flame that the staff had.
Despite their deficit, in a coaching adjustment to pull star staff players Kevin Johnson and Chris Smith, for Jeremiah Williams, Kevin Johnson Jr, and Tye Jackson, the lead slowly began to shorten. With quick striking fast break points by these players, the lead was shortened while minimizing time usage to their advantage. Staff coach Jordan January stated, “We just needed to reel the team morale and crowd back into it.”
Going into 2 minutes in the fourth, the staff railed by only 5. And with a crucial double technical foul on senior player Jonah Singleton, it gave Williams an opportunity to tie the game at the foul line. Responding to the pressure, he iced the game putting pressure onto the seniors for a last play shot. In response, Jaidyn Norman was taken to the charity stripe where he hit one of two, tying the game and potentially forcing an overtime. However, in a 10 second play, Jeremiah Williams was set up for a pick and roll action at the top of the key, yet after a botched inbound play, Williams was forced to take a catch and shoot three at the buzzer. Sinking the shot as the horn went off, the crowd stormed the court. Coach January stated, “Only thing I was thinking of was to give it to J Dub (Jeremiah Williams) and get out the way.”
Despite the thriller-like performance, Hollywood comeback, and cinematic final play, the Senior vs Staff game is filled with moments like these every single year. Whether it’s Mr. Ostler draining a deep three that electrifies the crowd, or Coach Nichter with a signature hook shot in the post, fans are what make this game as iconic as it is. With packed games every year, and a constant poetry like finish, the Senior vs Staff game will continue to dominate the popularity and overall quality of any sport event the school offers.
