![Varsity Boys playing basketball]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739885543/icsbudapestorg/nqcnbn5szaok7ngatd2s/DSC_3898.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739885543/icsbudapestorg/nqcnbn5szaok7ngatd2s/DSC_3898.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739885543/icsbudapestorg/nqcnbn5szaok7ngatd2s/DSC_3898.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739885543/icsbudapestorg/nqcnbn5szaok7ngatd2s/DSC_3898.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739885543/icsbudapestorg/nqcnbn5szaok7ngatd2s/DSC_3898.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1739885543/icsbudapestorg/nqcnbn5szaok7ngatd2s/DSC_3898.jpg","width":2200}])
Dancing in a sea of green and to the song "Yellow," enjoying Starbursts and ice cream with fellow Bulldogs and friends, hyped up by woodwinds, buying books, and stealing the ball, this Winter Classic had it all!
There's nothing quite like Winter Classic. Every year, the ICSB community dresses up in costumes during the week and their spirit gear over the weekend. Every year, we get hyped up at the pep rally, welcome teams from multiple countries, work together to be good hosts, and play and watch lots and lots of basketball. This year was special for various reasons, including the opportunity to welcome new schools from newly participating countries to the tournament and new and exciting additions to the schedule, like Player's Social Night.
Pep Prep
"Who let the dogs out? Who? Who? Who?" the whole school chanted the lyrics of the 2000 Baha Men hit as Joe D., Mira T., and Bowser the Bulldog stirred up the crowd for the introduction of our Varsity teams at the pep rally on Thursday. The gym fell into a frenzy as the teams busted through the bulldog sign, shot layups, and Mr. John Cooper introduced each player in his 1990s Chicago Bulls-esc announcer voice. The fun did not stop there. The dance team performed their routines, and then students and staff flooded the court in their green gear and crazy hair, and a dance party broke out.
Games Galore
After the pep rally, the opening games began and kicked off two and a half days full of basketball matchups. We hosted five schools this year. Together with ICSB, five countries were represented. International Gateway Academy joined us from Istanbul, Turkey; the International School of Prague from the Czech Republic; the International Christian School of Vienna and Vienna International School from Austria; and Bucharest Christian Academy from Romania.
The Varsity Girls' team put up a good fight but ultimately did not make it into the Championship game, earning them the 3rd place trophy. They were also honored with receiving the Team Sportsmanship Award for their outstanding sportsmanship. We are proud of their example and for earning this important award.
The ICSB Varsity Boys' team played exceptionally well. They won most of their games, paving their way to the championship game. The excitement in the gym was almost tangible throughout the game. It was a close and intense matchup in which they played very well and fought hard but ended up a few points behind when the clock ran out. The boys' team thus secured 2nd place in the tournament.
A handful of our athletes also received well-deserved individual accolades. Sophia J., Cade N., and Nathan P. were named to the All-Tournament Team. In addition, senior Nathan P. earned the prestigious Boys' MVP Award for the tournament, a testament to his outstanding leadership and skill on the court.
Beyond the Ball
It is a joy to see our community unify and serve together. From students learning the scoreboard and setting a fun environment with the dance teams and pep band to staff and parents helping with hospitality and logistics, it was beautiful to see this event bring our community together to join in serving the teams and coaches of our guest schools. In addition to nonstop basketball games, the building was buzzed with the library's book sale, the Junior's American Candy sale, and the Food Trucks outside.
One new element of the tournament was a Social Night on day one, exclusively for the players and dance team. Zsigmond (Zsiga) B., Joe D., Israel N., and Mr. Bruce Tarbell formed a rock band and played Coldplay, and John Mayor covers, among other things, transforming the West Chapel into a live music cafe. They played so well that many of the girls present started dancing to the live band. Nikita K. and Mei Mei H. MC'd the event, which included basketball-themed games, ice cream sundaes, and more. The heart behind the event was to give the teams a chance to get to know each other at the start of the tournament rather than getting to the end and wishing they had taken more opportunities to meet the people they were playing against.
Thank you to all the teams that participated for bringing their competitive spirit, our dedicated Athletic Director, Mr. John Burgess, for organizing this incredible event, and the incredible ICSB staff, parent, and student volunteers for the countless hours spent ensuring everything ran smoothly. After the awards were given out, a dance party broke out once again, with athletes from other schools and ICSB staff joining in for 'Cupid Shuffle.' This scene represented the joy, school spirit, and spirit of hospitality that our guests felt from their time here, as they repeatedly expressed to members of our community. May we continue this school year with that same joy and hospitality toward those in and outside our school.
Pictures: Yulia Beatty, Dan Culbertson, and Susan Cooper