Coach Jess Donoghue helps hype up his players during the Grizzled Old Men Game. Despite the crippling loss, Donoghue remains hopeful about the future. “We’ll have a rematch when we’re 40 and they’re 80, then we’ll see who’s the better team,” he said.
The annual Grizzled Old Men game was played on March 14th with full teams of both Cascade senior boys and “Grizzled Old Men” who are school district staff and other big names in the Leavenworth community. The night was one filled with sweat, laughter, and smiles from all players. The game is a fun way for the seniors to raise money for their class while getting a chance to trash talk to the teachers. This was the first Grizzled Old Men game since the pandemic started, but the Old Men did not skip a beat. They were running the floor like they were still high school basketball players.
Prior to the game Coach Donoghue, head coach for the seniors, talked about the senior’s strategy: “Play hard and guard the paint with your life.”
The seniors came out with a lot of energy and by the end of the first quarter, the score was tied. In the second quarter, the seniors started to lose their momentum and Coach Donoghue began to sub in the bench players. The Old Men went on a big scoring run.
“In the first quarter I played all my actual basketball players and in the second quarter I played all the people that seemed like they have never touched a basketball,” explained senior coach Donoghue.
When the starting lineup went into the game their strategy was to play defense in a 2-3 zone meaning two defenders at the three-point and 3 defenders under the hoop to force the Old Men to shoot the ball. The Old Men were too tall and were able to beat the 2-3 zone. By the end of the 3rd quarter, the Old Men were leading by 30 points.
Even though the seniors were getting blown out, morale stayed high, and they came into the 4th quarter with a positive attitude. The seniors came out shooting and brought their points up to 18. With one minute left, in an act of desperation, the “Middle School squad”, Hunter Rodgers, Alex Delangie, Ashtin Oropeza, Parker Nunnally, and Colton Latimer, were all subbed into the game. These seniors were the A team starters from their 8th grade middle school team. Their plan was to shoot deep three-pointers until the game ended. Hunter Rodgers was able to make one deep three which put the seniors at 21 points at the end of the game. The final score was 21-69 with the Old Men taking the win.
Senior Parker Nunnally described the game: “It was extremely exciting even though we did not win everyone had their moments, but everyone could have played better defense.”
It is important to note that since the inception of this game in 2009, the Grizzled Old Men have taken home the trophy every year, except for 2010. Although the seniors may not have bucked this winning streak, they were very happy with the fundraising results. This event helped to raise over $1,400 in ticket sales and donations for their senior trip.
For coach Donoghue, the rivalry is not over. “We’ll have a rematch when we’re 40 and they’re 80,” said Donoghue. “Then we’ll see who’s the better team.”
Overall, both teams had an incredible night, one filled with memories that the senior boys will carry on through the rest of their lives. The continuous tradition of Grizzled Old Men is one that will always bring happiness, laughter, and energy to all who attend and participate.
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