Senior-Faculty Game

It finally happened

Seniors topple faculty in annual basketball game

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For the past several years, the seniors have been saying that they were going to beat the faculty in the blue and green groups annual basketball game. Usually these predictions are just that — but not this year. The Class of 1986 edged past a determined faculty team 48-46, March 4.

The game was aggressive and high-spirited from start to finish, and the score was never more than six points apart. The seniors, coached by Doug Priestley, pulled to an early lead. It was 15-12 at the end of the first, and faculty found themselves playing catch-up ball for most of the game.

The faculty team, coached by the veteran Maj. Ron Rosendahl, gained a point by the half, and it was 26-24 seniors. After a halftime rest, it was time for the seniors to play catch-up as the faculty built, what for this game would be, a healthy lead by the end of the third period.

But fouls proved to be a problem for the experienced faculty team. The men in green gave the Class of 1986 33 shots from the line, 22 of them which were good. The seniorsdidn’t reciprocate in kind, onlygiving their elders 11 shots from the line, a mere six of which were good.

Play in the final quarter was fast and furious with no quarter given. The lead changed hands at least seven times. The seniorshad in their best men: Greg Steinmetz, who scored a game-high 26 points, Jordan Chalden, Alp Onyuru, and the rest.

The faculty stayed with their regular fourth-quarter lineup, which included Lt. Marty Hunt, who led his team’s scoring with 11, and Capt. Roger Hill, who normally has a good shot but was having foul trouble late in the game. Capt. Kevin Shaddox, who had 10 points on the game, and Maj. Dave Steinmetz, who scored nine, watched from the bench in the last quarter.

In the final seconds of the game, the faculty was up by one. But Greg Steinmetz was fouled by Capt. Hill, and Referee Chad Gates called it. Steinmetz’s freethrow tied the game. Staff Sgt. Merrel Evans almost got the lead back, but his shot didn’t have the angle. Steinmetzgot the rebound and raced down court. Capt. Hill tried to stop him. It looked as though Steinmetz ran into a brick wall.

Rolling with enthusiasm, Jordan Chalden, in trying to steal the ball from Capt. Kevin Shaddox, took a tumble during the senior-faculty basketball game. Seniors Scott Doughty, Greg Steinmetz, and Alp Onyuru were present to assist, as were Maj. Dave Steinmetz, StaffSgt. Merrel Evans, and Lt. Joe Ableman.

A whistle blew, and Steinmetz’s freethrows brought the Class of 1986’s prediction to fruition.

Since this was the first time in recent memory that the seniors have won the game, Maj. Rosendahl, who is athletic director when he’s not coaching the faculty team, thought it would be nice to present the winners, and losers, with trophies.

At the end of the winter sports banquet, when the special awards are given, Maj. Rosendahl called Coach Priestley forward and made a short speech before the presentation. He then handed him a trophy, one about six inches tall. Priestley thanked him sincerely, and returned to his seat.

Then Maj. Rosendahl presented the second-place trophy, saying that it went to thatvaliantgroup of old, but experienced, players who have banded together each year to show the youngsters a thing or two about basketball. Mild laughter rippled through the dining hall. It went silent when Maj. Rosendahl pulled out a trophy that must have stood a good three-feet tall.

Although Maj. Rosendahl pointed out that the presentations were all in good fun, which was the purpose ofthegame itself, Priestley did manage to get the last word on the matter. From his table, looking at the trophy, he piped up with a lilting voice and said, “Thankyou sir, but please remember that the best things come in small packages.” Laughter drowned out any further comment on the game or award.