Alumni-Students Do Battle on Court For Pride, Charity

With an eye on future generations, the Boys & Girls past met its present on the basketball court Tuesday evening in the second annual Alumni-Student Game.  

The “Students” improved to 2-0 against the Alumni, winning 109-101 in a high-flying offensive onslaught, where only the defense was spared.

It began as an easy going matchup between players with an unbreakable bond of playing for “The High,” but turned into a fiercely competitive showdown that was reminiscent of a regular season PSAL showdown.

Only pride and some fundraising dollars for a new mentoring program was on the line, but that was enough to take the game down to the wire. Tied at 99-99 with :52 remaining, Jeffland Neverson (‘12), Leroy “Truck” Fludd (‘12), and University of Connecticut-bound football star Wilbert Lee (‘11) helped the Students win, 109-101.

The celebration that ensued at mid-court was nearly as enthusiastic as the scene at Madison Square Garden, where the Kangaroos won their second straight PSAL City Championship a couple months ago.

Of course, it wasn’t about winning or losing as much as it was about having fun and giving back to the school, said assistant coach Elmer Anderson (‘83).

“It was fun to watch these guys,” said Anderson, who on this day coached the Students. “The school needs this type of spirit.”

The event was organized by former Boys & Girls students from High Impact Alliance, a new program that will pair successful alumni with troubled students. The pilot program will launch next month and include ten mentors, said founding board member Alexandria Eutsay (‘00).

Eustay is one of several alumni who created High Impact Alliance as a way to give back to their school.

“The problem is that the school doesn’t have as much support as it needs in order to help all of its students,” said Eustay. The program is “to supplement the school’s efforts to improve retention and graduation.”

The graduation rate at Boys & Girls High School ranks among the lowest in New York City, bottoming out last year at under 40 percent. The school is on several low-performing lists and could be closed as a result as soon as next year if it is unable to show signs of improvement.

But Boys & Girls is the oldest high school in Brooklyn and has a rich tradition in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community.

Leaders in Bed-Stuy, such as councilman Al Vann, and the ministers who make up the school's community advisory group, remain unconditionally supportive, of the school under its new leader, Bernard Gassaway, who took over in 2009.

Alumni support was evident on Tuesday by the dozens who attended the game.

On the alumni side were Derek Sandsbury (‘03), Jakar Wells (‘04), Tyrell Cruz (‘04), Richard Anderson (‘04) and William Jenkins (‘05), and the newest member of the alumni team, Mike Taylor (‘11), who starred on the team the past two seasons.

Several alumni also attended as fans. The rapper Skyo (‘04) spit some bars during halftime and clothing designer Carlos Collazo (‘04), was showing off his new clothing line.

“It’s important to come back and be a part of these events because Boys High is one big family,” said Anderson, who is a physical education teacher in the city.

Even the referees were alumni. Lee Church (‘00) wore the ref stripes and is also a founding member of High Impact Alliance.  

As for the game, as soon as Coach Ruth Lovelace (‘87) left the building, shortly after the tip, the game devolved into a defenseless game. There was a steady dose of high-flying dunks and uncontested jumpers.

It was good basketball to watch, said assistant coach Gene Carroll (‘67 - F.D.R High School), but not the prettiest defensive performance he’s seen.

“I’m impressed with some of the things they’re doing offensively, but on defense they’re leaving a lot to be desired,” said Carroll.