For most students, the Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game is a chance to cheer, compete, and maybe—just maybe—witness the end of the faculty’s undefeated streak. But for Sriram Srinivasan, it’s also about legacy, leadership, and building community through tradition.

While Sriram was the one who took charge this year, he’s quick to give credit where it’s due. “While I am responsible for planning the event, I want to give credit to Ms. Ramos, who organized similar student-faculty games when the Class of 2026 was in eighth grade,” he shared. “These events were always fun and great for building community, so once I was elected to the Student Council in high school, I made it a priority to organize similar events.”

Planning began back in February, just as the basketball season wrapped. “I first spoke with Mr. Pepelanov to confirm the feasibility, and then I emailed Ms. Sabala, Ms. Inniss Eastmond  and Ms. Wilson to reserve the gym and ensure that all the necessary equipment was available.”

Though this wasn’t his first time coordinating the game, scheduling still proved to be the biggest challenge. “I faced difficulties with scheduling, as many dates that seemed suitable were unavailable due to conflicts like the 10th grade PSAT, Awareness Day, or being right after a break,” he explained. “While each situation may differ, the key is to maintain transparency and use effective problem-solving skills.”

On game day, the gym was packed with energy—and while the students brought their hustle, the faculty's experience and teamwork continued their winning streak. “I approached each of the past years thinking that this would be the year when students would win… If no one wins this year, I truly believe that next year will be our time to make history at Avenues.”

One moment stood out to Sriram above the rest—not the final score, but a snapshot of what the game represents. “The highlight of the day was Mr. Marnell's game-winning shot,” he said, “but the moment that stood out to me the most occurred when Mr. Hawkey committed a ‘hard’ foul on Aren, pulling him to the ground in a nonserious way. He helped Aren back up, and they both shared a laugh about it. That moment truly showcased the spirit of the game.”

So what’s the faculty’s secret sauce? According to Sriram: “Teamwork. When students participate in a game in front of their entire grade, they often focus too much on trying to achieve individual highlights… In contrast, the faculty appear to function more cohesively as a team focused on winning.”

As for standout performers, one name came up more than once: “Mr. Marnell surprised me with his speed and skill… He played a significant role throughout the majority of the game, stepping up in crucial moments and leading the faculty to victory.”

Sriram’s vision doesn’t stop with this year’s game. He’s already thinking ahead. “We could hold the game after school, organize a multi-grade event, or even live stream it on our athletics channel,” he said. His goal? To leave future student leaders with a comprehensive cheat sheet—a playbook filled with lessons, tips, and ideas to keep the tradition alive and growing.

In the end, it’s not just about winning or losing. “These types of games get everyone more involved in community meetings… It gives them another thing to talk about, to bond over.” From post-game debates about controversial calls to shared laughs over standout plays, the Student-Faculty Game continues to build bridges—one basket at a time.

Click here for highlights! It was a nailbiter!

RAPID FIRE ROUND

• Most competitive teacher? Mr. Whatley
• Best trash talker? Coach Lonnell
• MVP of the game? Mr. Marnell
• Prediction for next year’s game? Students