Staff vs Students Basketball: Moving Through the Crowds Like Water

by Thomas Broadley

When people think of Buxton, they think of a few things: rain, charity shops, mountaineering stores – and basketball. On Friday 22nd November, Buxton Community School hosted a sporting event second only to the NBA, as staff and sixth formers faced off in a fierce battle of wills, words, and athleticism, held in the prestigious BCS sports hall. A 60-strong crowd watched on as Mr Jones moved through crowds like water, and Miss Birtles became personally offended as the students’ score outstripped that of the teachers by around 20 points. As play began to heat up and emotions rose higher, there were feats of athleticism otherwise thought impossible from both sides, and Mr Yates’ desperate reminders that basketball is a ‘non-contact sport’ became lost in the wind. Ted Johnson (specially debuting new purpose-bought shoes), flew from one end of the court to the other, making good use of an undefended left wing, while Miss Gale took on multiple people double her size in many a tough challenge, often coming out on top. Messrs Ward and Lomas formed a ‘double-team’ attack formation from the back in the second half, countered by Adam King’s unrelenting efforts to knock all possible staff to the floor, which turned out to be fairly successful. The crowd became more and more involved as the game progressed, showing their support for both sides in equal measure with students from all years and multiple departments of staff turning out to spur on colleagues and friends.

Mrs Warrington was reportedly ‘very pleased’ with the event, which was organised to raise money for the sixth form environmental committee. Around £90 was raised in total, though the specific destination for the money is not yet known. Just be sure to look out for some new bins appearing around sixth form in the near future!