Just like with any team, you go through your highs and your lows; you all achieve success as one unit and not as individuals; and most importantly, you never give up on each other no matter what. This past Tuesday, with it all on the line, the varsity basketball teams of our very own Raiders hosted Commack to battle for playoff contention and try to out-do one-another at every waking moment. In the end, the team sadly went down in a valiant defeat in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. However, this should neither deter nor put down any of the players involved, as they all put their hearts out there on the court and fought tooth and nail and never once showed signs of stopping. Not only do the players deserve a round of applause for their effort and energy they had but the crowd as well: never have I experienced such an animated and vigorous group of individuals who were willing to do and say anything to rally not only their team- but also their friends. To me, that is what Pat-Med pride has always been.

Before I get into the crowd I would be remiss not to give credit where credit is due to both Noah and Brad for their play on the night. While Noah was able to rack up block after block- sending the entire gym into a frenzy- Brad made the best shot of the night, banging home a deep three to give the team hope and confidence that they could still either tie or win the game when the chances of a comeback were slowly fading away. In addition, congratulations to all our seniors who were applauded and recognized at the event and I wish nothing but the best for all of you after this year finally comes to close. With that being said, the crowd I felt was truly a factor in the game as well as the obvious hustle and determination of our players on the hardwood. As my friends and I sat and became invested in every play all you heard was the chatter and chants of everyone in a multitude of spots on the bleachers with the intent of playing mind games and hyping up our team; the energy was palpable and you couldn’t help but join in and become just as invigorated as everyone else was. Usually, it’s seldom seen a crowd be as rowdy as it is once you get past the first, possibly second, quarter(s); yet on this night, it felt as though the roof was going to blow off the gym as with every shot, every rebound, every free-throw, and every defensive move the crowd jolted to life. Overall, everyone who attended the game was not only a simple viewer, they were also a part of the game. In the NBA, there is a reason a team will fight for home court advantage when they playoffs come, it’s not just for the sake of being home but because of something more grand. The crowd is like a shot of adrenaline: when the team begins to waver and become lethargic the crowd will reanimate these guys and they will give it their all in return for the support they receive.

In the end, while the season is still not over, I want to congratulate the entire team, starters and bench players, for being the best they could be and sticking by each other and sharing a sense of comradery. The pride and passion the players, staff, and audience have is the best and most intense I think out of any school in the entirety of Suffolk County and possibly even Long Island.