It’s almost winter break, and the Huskies know what that means! It’s officially tip-off season! Just this past week Flint Hill hosted its annual Tip-Off Tournament for its boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. To celebrate, on Friday, December 9th, the Athletic Advisory Council hosted a pep rally for the whole Upper School to enjoy. It opened with an incredible performance from our dance team. Everyone had a blast watching them dance and you could feel the explosive energy throughout the gym. Next, some games for students to participate in were hosted. These included a pie-eating contest, knock-out, a four-person basketball shooting competition, a dance-off, with the most shocking being the tug-o-war contest. All grades fought against each other in a tournament-like heave to victory! Everyone was surprised when a group of Freshmen boys beat the seniors in mere seconds, but no one could have anticipated how they would do against the teachers. The whole school was on the edge of their seats as they watched the staff vs. student match. When the Freshmen beat the teachers after a long battle, the gym erupted into chaos, it was unbelievable!

After the pep rally, there was only one thing on people’s minds: the Friday night white-out game! The girls played first at 6:30 and crushed their opponent, Trinity at Meadowview 67-18. In perfect Flint Hill tradition, when the girls scored their first basket the whole student section released a wave of toilet paper onto the court in glorious victory. After the game was over it was the boys’ turn and they did not disappoint! They beat their opponent St. John Paul the Great 74-63, and the Huskies got to chuck their toilet paper for a second time when the boys scored their first basket against the wolves. With a successful first day in the books, both teams proceeded into the Saturday championship game undefeated.

The boys’ team was up against Jackson-Reed High School for the title, and unfortunately suffered a loss of 51-69. They put up a good fight against the Tigers, and will definitely get them next time. Next up was the girls’ championship match against Episcopal. They blew out their opponents, the Maroons, 49-13! The girls successfully brought home their first tournament trophy of the season, and it will not be the last!

With the Tip-Off Tournament coming to an end, it was time to award the best players of the tournament. From the boys’ team, junior Quinn Gorman and senior Gibraltar Coleman brought home two All-Tournament Team awards! The girls’ team also had some big winners: Sophomores Raigan McCalla and Tatum Carney received big awards, with McCalla taking home MVP and Carney receiving All-Tournament Team! I got a chance to speak with Carney about her and her team’s successes from tip-off week, and she was very pleased with the tournament results. “It was amazing to see our whole team show out in front of the school and really work together to get the win after two tough scrimmages the week before,” Carney stated excitedly. Carney was also very happy about her All-Tournament team award but says it would not have been possible without the collective effort of all her teammates. When asked about her favorite moment from the tournament she mentioned the MVP McCalla and the awesome play she had on the Friday-night game. “Raigan got an amazing rebound from the other team which she turned into a fast break. She threw an insanely accurate and good pass to me all the way down the court– I put it up for a reverse layup and the whole crowd went crazy!,” said Carney. It is clear to see that the Huskies are in for an awesome season, and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish!