By: Anthony Barrett
Photos: Robert Sterner
Hershey High School teachers defeated Lower Dauphin High School teachers in a faculty charity basketball game 54-46 on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. It was the first year of the event which supports The Four Diamonds Fund.
1,104 tickets were sold, and the event raised $5,569.56 for the Four Diamonds Fund.
The Trojan offense thrived early as they shot to a 10 point lead early in the first quarter. This was largely due to the stellar first half performance of HHS English teacher Damian Gessel, who swished a pair of 3’s and hit a few nifty layups.
The Trojans carried the 10 point lead into halftime, 28-18.
The game was also filled with many festivities: a half court shot competition and an event where the kids of the teachers playing took to the court and made foul shots of their own.
Coming out of halftime, the HHS teachers took a commanding lead backed by easy layups and superb 3-point shooting.
However, the Falcons battled back. LD began to climb back when HHS point guard and business teacher Doug Ruhl left the game with an apparent right knee injury.
The Falcons narrowed the gap to 4 points just before psychology teacher, Pete Steelman, and engineering teacher, Mark Painter, reopened the gap with 2 layups and 4 free throws. Ultimately, the Trojans edged the Falcons 54-46.
Steve Newell took home MVP honors for the Trojans.
The profits will be split between LD and Hershey, however, 100% of the money raised will go to The Four Diamonds Fund.
