The charity basketball event between the Mountain Ridge and Glendale Police Department ended in an 81-82 loss for the staff. The game kicked off with a stunning performance by the drumline and a beautiful execution of the national anthem by Ridge’s Honor Choir.
Led by the head varsity basketball coach, Coach Marcus, the Mountain Ridge Staff had a roster full of student favorites with about ten teachers and coaches.
The game was announced by Mrs. Lambert and Mr. Faust and was officiated by three players on the varsity basketball team.
The match began with the Phoenix Suns’ gorilla throwing up the tip-off and the Glendale Police Department taking the early lead, with accurate shooting. By halftime, they were up by 29-17.
During the break, the drumline performed again, followed by the varsity pom team, with the gorilla causing trouble throughout.
Special Olympic athlete and Mountain Ridge senior, Carly Ogden, was presented with tickets to a Phoenix Suns game. She has been playing with the Special Olympics since the age of 10.
Despite their deficit in the previous half, the teachers came back strong, with a stand-out performance by Mr. Prey, who is an AP Environmental Science/Marine biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology teacher on campus.
While attending, Prey played “competitive intramurals in college at the University of Colorado-Boulder,” and continued to compete in recreational leagues after that. He also mentions that a group of teachers have gotten together since 1999 to play basketball on Friday mornings.
With the teacher’s efforts and some help from the scorekeepers, the staff began to pull ahead. However, after two ten-point clutch free throws from the GPD, the game ended, with the Police Department handing the staff an 82-81 point loss.
Prey gave feedback on the staff’s performance saying that they need to practice and, “play defense as we didn’t do that too well.”
Donations were collected throughout the match, totaling over $630. This money will be able to benefit the Special Olympics and help young athletes across the valley.
