PVI Memories with Seabass

PVI Memories with Seabass

Written by Mr. Sebastian, Theology Department

This issue’s featured Seabass memory:

Basketball Senior Night 2008: Paul VI vs. Bishop O’Connell

I was blessed to join the PVI faculty in 2001. I have seen a lot of great sports memories in these years. I am glad my co-advisor Ms. Fassinger asked me to share a few in our school paper.

This month I recall Basketball Senior Night in 2008. We were playing DJO and the gym was sold out. O’Connell brought a ton of kids and took up half of the bleachers. The VI Man would never be outdone and took up the other half with many Panthers in standing room only by the emergency exit.

Seabass on the other hand, almost didn’t attend. I was at home and the weather was bad. I figured I would not venture back up to our Fairfax campus on this cold, rainy winter night. At the time my colleague and friend, Mrs. HG (Rest in Peace), had started a prayer commitment where we would offer one mystery of the Rosary every day for PVI. As I prayed that late afternoon I felt a peaceful inspiration that I should go to the game. I was glad to do it, as my advisee Adrian Mills was a senior and I was excited for him. I sure am thankful that I made it to the game.

The DJO kids were dressed in white and brought an impressive energy. But the VI Man would not be outdone in our house and was enthusiastic about every possession. In the final seconds, the legendary Kendall Marshall made a jump shot to put DJO up by a point. The Panthers did not flinch. Adrian pushed the ball up the floor quickly and pulled up at the free throw line. He made a great pass to Wesley Ford (Mr. O'Brien's advisee) who made a lay up at the buzzer. The whole school rushed the floor and celebrated the awesome Panther victory.

My favorite part of the night then occurred. The entire PVI family faculty, students, staff, and alums stayed on the court celebrating for an hour after the game. Everyone just hung out and shared the victory; and we also shared the joy of being a Panther and a part of the PVI family. It was a memorable night indeed.