Wallace Middle School held its annual student-faculty basketball game Friday afternoon, and a surprise guest took the Crosby gymnasium by storm. Minnesota Timberwolves forward and former Wilby High star Ryan Gomes delighted both players and fans with his play. Gomes signed dozens of autographs after the game.
WATERBURY -- It was, as it usually is, organized chaos, and that was before the special guest walked in.
The student-faculty basketball game at Wallace Middle School is a spring tradition, a treat and reward for students who earn the opportunity to play and spectate through good behavior.
When the kids spilled into the gym Friday afternoon, they gasped: Ryan Gomes was in the house. A thunderous ovation greeted their NBA hero when he was introduced.
“This is something special for the kids every year,” said Phil Lott, one of the game organizers and the all-time leading scorer in the city from his days with Wilby.
Phil, how many student-faculty games do you know that feature an NBA basketball player?
“None,” beamed Lott. “This was very special for the kids. They were excited when they saw him. It was great of Ryan to do this for the kids.”
The packed Palace rocked from first minute to last. Gomes threw down three impressive jams, and even though most of the students probably don’t realize what Lott did during his days in the NVL, seeing Lott back on court was as much fun as watching Gomsey. And to be fair, the ovation for Lott may have been the biggest of the day.
But Gomsey was still the main attraction. He thoroughly enjoyed playing against the kids, especially Jequan Lode, who stood all of about 4 feet, 5 inches. The 6-8 Gomes had to bend very low to talk trash with Jequan.
“He told me he was going to
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guard me all the way up the court,” said a thrilled Jequan, who was small enough, quick enough, and gifted enough to give the NBA player fits.
For those old enough to remember when Lott ruled the gymnasiums of the NVL, you might want to know about his time on the court: He shot every time he touched the ball; he did not collect an assist; he loves that 3-point arc.
“No way, I must have had a few assists,” he said with mock protest.
He also connected on the most spectacular basket of the day, a reverse layup despite being locked up in a bear hug by a Wallace player.
The faculty won the game, 70-64, thanks to one of the worst officiating jobs we’ve ever seen, “And I want you to put that in the paper,” said Jack Wright, who set the standard for home jobs.
The day was electric, from the Gomes jams, to the Wallace Middle School band, to the Wallace Robotics Club demonstrating a basketball-playing robot, to the half-time dance demonstration that had Wallace students pouring out of the bleachers to join in.
But the real treat was the chance for 11, 12 and 13 year old boys and girls to play on the same floor with Waterbury’s most famous resident, Ryan Gomes. Here, in their own words, is what they thought:
Aseim King: “The experience was amazing.”
Nick DelBuono: “It was crazy. Everyone was into it.”
Phuoc Brian Le: “It was the best game of the year.”
Shayla Perez: “It was a rush of excitement.”
Daje Dillard: “I think it was a pleasure playing Ryan Gomes.”
Roshawn Gainey: “Playing with Ryan Gomes was the best time in my life. I wish he comes back next year.”
The Ryan Gomes summer road show takes him to many places. Thursday he brought a group of city players, called the Waterbury Legends, featuring Gomes, Julian Allen, Marcus James, Bootsy Moore, and others, to a charity game in New Britain against the Tebucky Jones All Stars. Friday he dazzled star-struck middle schoolers. Monday he is back in Minneapolis to begin summer workouts with the Timberwolves.
If you conducted a poll to see how many NBA players competed in a middle school student-faculty game during the offseason, my guess is that list would have only one name on it, and that name would be Ryan Gomes.