Amy Beverland Kids Fall to Taller, More Educated Teachers 48-44

In the 4th Annual Amy Beverland Dads Club Kids vs. Teachers Basketball Game, the teachers’ height advantage proved to be too much for the smaller kids, grades 3 to 5.

This is an annual game that over the last three years has been determined by a single point, last year’s game going into overtime. The kids had a 2-games to 1 lead over the teachers going into Tuesday night’s contest. And, it was obvious even in the pre-game warm-ups that the teachers were taking this game seriously; conserving their energy on the folding chairs grading some papers and summing up this years kids’ competition.

The kids on the other hand were very loose – maybe too loose. What seemed like 15-20 basketballs of assorted colors were flying all over the place. Bodies were sliding all over the floor and running in and out of the stands.

The ABE gym was a frenzy of energy, everyone anticipating an exciting event. Raffle tickets were given to everyone in the audience for prizes that would be given out throughout the game. Many were buying additional raffle tickets for the chance to say, “I won a prize at the game, last night!” Local restaurant and video rental gift cards, and wholesale boxes of snack and treats were just a few of the prizes. And of course, there was TWIZZLERS®. There had to be TWIZZLERS®.

The history of this game has shown us that TWIZZLERS® are as important to kids as playing in the game. This year we had two-pound bags of TWIZZLERS® as prizes. Smaller TWIZZLERS® pieces in individual bags were thrown into the stands by the officials during timeouts. Even the players on the court would stop and ask for TWIZZLERS®.

Starting an hour before the game, pizza and lemonade were served, feeding the frenzy and families who would be on the edge of their seats at tip-off.

Before the game, the kids and teachers were introduced, the national anthem was played, and everyone was ready to rumble.

Even though the opening tip and the subsequent tips remarkably went to the kids, the height advantage would be something the kids could not overcome. From the onset, the teachers dominated the boards at both ends. Having to actually bend down to get a hand in the kids faces, the adults were like a forest of redwoods.

The kids were valiant in their continuing aggressiveness. Down 14 at one point, key three-pointers and some driving lay-ups kept them in the game.

The 3rd Graders started the game and gave the teachers all they could handle. The second quarter showed the fourth graders had the three point range, keeping the game close. The second half opened up with the girls squad, perhaps the most tenacious bunch. The final quarter and the game were in the hands of the 5th grade boys.

The crowd was full of energy, cheering on the kids. But in the end, even a big bass drum, the “wave,” and the sound of the trumpeting “CHARGE!!”, and lopsided officiating couldn’t overcome the size advantage and the unselfish play of the teachers.

The teachers commented that the loss should be a learning experience for the kids. Go figure.

The result puts the series at 2-2. Which means next year is for all the marbles … or TWIZZLERS®. Don’t miss it!

For more information about this event and other events the Amy Beverland Dads Club puts on, feel free to contact Ron Tuthill, President of the Dads Club at imtut46236@comcast.net, or call him at 650-1575.