Students Tip Off Against Thompson Teachers

Thompson Middle School teachers and students faced off at the "Basketball Blowout" Friday afternoon after school. The game between the eight grade basketball teams and Thompson’s faculty tipped off at 3 p.m. in the Thompson gym. 

Both teams had fifteen players. Five girls and ten boys made up the student's team, who almost got away with the win against the faculty. The teachers led most of game by a large lead but squeaked by at the buzzer 44-41.

Math teacher Justin Buffman came up with idea to team up students versus teachers. 

“The kids are here at Thompson from the fifth grade to the eighth grade, so by that time all the teachers know them and they know all the teachers. They get a charge out of playing against their current and former teachers," Buffman said.

Buffman also coaches Thompson’s boys basketball and soccer teams.

“It’s fun working with kids at this age. In the classroom it’s rewarding to see them finally grasp a concept they didn’t before. At this age they are still excited about life and all its possibilities,” he said. “As far as the win, it was payback for the soccer loss earlier this school year. The kids won that game 3-1."

Taylor George, an eighth-grader who plays point guardon the girls’ basketball team, said she had a good time.

“It’s fun to try to beat the teachers. They played hard. I wish we had won. It was a great time anyway,” said George.

Principal Eric Thomas said he thought the teacher against student games help the school in the long run.

“I appreciate the teachers taking the time to do this. This helps the kids see the teachers in a different light. Games like this help strengthen the culture of the school,” Thomas said.

“It’s a good thing the kids didn’t pull a full court press on us or even a fast break. I felt every bit of 40 years old out there," Thomas said with a smile.