Northfield Community School basketball game
NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Police Department joined staff members March 3 in the gym at Northfield Community School to face off against the champion Thunderbirds girls and boys basketball teams.
Kevin Morrison, principal of the middle school, said both teams won the Northfield Invitational Tournament Feb. 24 and the Think Day Team won its tournament the next day, so the school wanted to do something to celebrate.
“We like to do things to commemorate different things and we had a really great basketball season; both teams had an awesome year and both teams won the NIT,” Morrison said. “I’d have to go back in the history books but I’m pretty sure that’s the first time both Northfield teams won at the same time.”
Both teams topped their Linwood counterpart. The boys winning 31-25 and the girls 27-17.
On Feb. 25, the Think Day Team took the trophy at Mainland Regional High School.
Morrison said the school likes to have community outreach, “so we thought it would be nice to have the police join us as well,” excusing himself to stretch his hamstrings.
Sgt. Guy DiMarco said the police department likes to be part of the community and that taking part in events such as this is a great way to be involved.
“We’re a small agency but really big on community policing,” DiMarco said. “The school is one of our stakeholders along with residents and the community in general.”
He said he partnered with Morrison to compete against the middle school boys and girls teams.
“They are good, they both won the NIT this year,” he said, noting he was there “doing some scouting.”
“What’s nice about this is it’s supposed to be fun, but we are playing boys and girls champions,” he said, clearly aware of the competition level.
DiMarco and acting Lt. Scott Pollak, detective Sgt. Michael Buccafurni, acting Sgt. Michael Bach, detective Geoff Bentz, Ptlm. Malachi Valentine and Ptlm. Brenden O’Brien joined NCS staff members Steve Miller, Nicole Guerrieri, Steve Vain, Principal Kevin Morrison, Nick Corley, John Wilson, Joanne Schallus, Matt Palermo, Jen Turon, Amanda Burchell, Colleen Kennedy, Tony Ponatri, Francesca Ruth and Joe DeSalle.
They faced off against the combined boys and girls teams, with players from sixth through eighth grades.
Competition was hot on the court, with students looking to get the better of their elders.
“They’re bigger than me,” DiMarco said, almost looking up at a 5’8” reporter. “Nothing that we did in the last week is going to prepare us.”
Calling the game were Chloe Servetnick and Haley Barnhardt.
The concert band even got in on the fun, setting up in the stands to provide some musical accompaniment.
All of the middle school students gathered in the gym, cheering, yelling and raising a hoopla whenever the students or a favorite teacher scored.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff