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For the sixth consecutive year, teachers and parents from Eliot and Hillside Elementary Schools met at Needham High on Friday, March 18 for an exciting game of basketball to raise money for each school’s PTC.
The gym was filled to capacity with Hillside and Eliot families decked out in school colors to cheer on teams composed of teachers, staff and parents of each respective school for this “Hoops in the Heights” event.
The two schools met on the basketball court for the first time in the spring of 2011 - selling out within minutes of opening doors and exceeding revenue goals. The following years have generated even more success and created tremendous excitement in both school communities.
The 2016 game was no different and organizers believe that this year’s game hit a new record in terms of crowd size and revenues.
Erin Apstein, one of the Hillside Co-Chairs of the Basketball Game Committee, said, “The basketball game is the event everyone waits for and this year’s game did not disappoint.”
Betsy Alperstein, the other Hillside Co-Chair added, “It was so much fun to see all the school spirit on both sides of the bench!”
To recapture the excitement of prior years, Eliot and Hillside jammed the night with a variety of family-friendly activities, including a student-led singing of the National Anthem, a halftime fifth grade dribbling relay contest, a “battle” of the Hillside and Eliot school bands, and sales of school-branded sports novelties.
Eliot PTC Co-President Sue Nissen remarked, “The ‘Hoops in the Heights’ basketball game was, for many of us, the highlight event of the year! The kids and families screeched with delight at every shot made and loved seeing their teachers and parents clowning around on the court.”
“Everyone had a blast - it was a perfect night.”
Not surprisingly, the biggest stars of the game were the teachers and school staff. They repeatedly got the loudest cheers when handling the ball.
The organizers are grateful to all those that participated, volunteered and attended the game. They are already discussing plans for next year’s game and hope to see this wonderful tradition continue for many years to come.
