Somehow the weather broke overnight, and we all woke up to an overcast, sweatshirt kind of morning. The boys went through the typical routine and team meetings but were anxious to get going again. And that they did.
Gray was hoping the late Red surge yesterday had cooled off as well and seemed determined to make their push for the lead. When Gray cruised through the Cubs/Lions Golf matches, they were off to the start they were looking for. But Red won the little guys’ Bocce in the Garden, before their Juniors won Tennis, reminding Gray that it wouldn’t be an easy climb to the top.
In Tigers Basketball, it took 3 games to settle it, but again, Red was up to the task winning 2 of the 3, and the Hoops point. Dylan S scored 7 straight points to lead Gray to victory on the upper court, while Lincoln V carried Red to a win on the lower court. In a very close contest in the Gym, Maddox was the difference in a 2-point victory for Red in the clincher.
On the Hejduk, Red had just a bit too much for Gray to handle in their 7-3 win in Stars Lacrosse. Will A chipped in with a pair of goals for the winners, while Lucas had a pair of his own for Gray in defeat. The tide then turned when word came that Gray had swept all three elements at the Waterfront, including the closest set of Kayak races in history. Both the single and double kayak races produced an overall time differential of only .74 seconds, completing Gray’s sweep down at Trickey.
The Freshmen split a pair of Football games. Spencer O was the Red Star on the Bunkline, weaving his way all over the field when running it, and found Ka’Mari often and open when he needed to throw it. On the Rec Hall field, Gray’s defense was the story, stopping Red on the doorstep a couple of times late in the game to win it.
Gray then polished off a two-game sweep in Seniors Hockey at the Rink to hang close. Luke BR did the damage for Gray in Game 2 after TI (2 goals), Oscar and Reed (1 each) hit the back of the net in a 4-2 win in Game 1. No real change to the slim Red lead this morning as all headed to lunch, another Songs and Cheers practice, and a brief “rest hour”.
As the sun came out and the temperature climbed this afternoon, we wondered which team would heat up as well. Our answer came quickly as the Red Cubs/Tigers stroked their way to victory on both the Sky I and II Tennis courts, then swept both games in Sophomores Basketball and Juniors Hockey. Ethan K was stellar in the cage and Braden scored both goals in the Game 1 shutout.
After Red also carried Stars Waterfront, Gray needed a boost to fight their way back – and got it! The Gray Freshmen swept both Golf and Bocce as their Seniors were dominating in Lacrosse at the same time. Ryder N scored 3 first quarter goals to set the tone in the 11-2 romp for Gray.
Down on the Snow Field, the crowd had grown as the other contests were complete, leaving only the 2nd game of the Tigers Soccer twin bill left to be played… and what a game it was! Red had won the first game earlier in a blowout, but the atmosphere for this one felt like the World Cup final. The teams traded goals back and forth, until it was all tied up at 5 late in the 2nd half. When Owen B scored to give Gray the lead with about a minute remaining, it appeared Gray would get the win and needed split to keep them within arm’s length of the lead. But with only seconds remaining, Alex Y volleyed home a loose ball in the box off a corner kick as the final whistle blew, securing a 6-6 tie and preserving the Soccer point for Red. The Red contingent stormed the field in another frenzied celebration -- and had bumped their lead just a little bit more.
We’re just past the halfway point with plenty of athletic events to go, not to mention the critical Songs and Cheers competition (8 points up for grabs) tomorrow night. It’s still way too close to call….
But tonight, Color War gets put on the backburner for some good, old-fashioned entertainment -- the Skylemar Players presentation of “The Lion King”.
Once again, Suzie, her assistant directors Roxy and Jayden, the incredible cast and crew, blew us away with a fabulous production. How did they ever learn the lines, songs and choreography while trips and Color War were going on? A full show in just a little over two weeks!
The costumes, the scenery, lighting, music – all to make the kids on stage shine. Plus it was so much fun to watch. Many said this was the best play they ever saw at Skylemar. Bravo to these stars:
KJ & Alexander P - Rafiki
Ari F - Mufasa
Henry Z - Sarabi
Palmer - Zazu
Jake P - Scar
Garrett - Baby Simba
Declan O, Alexander D, Bud - Simba
Ethan V, Max A - Nala
Sawyer - Timon
Elton - Pumbaa
Morgan M, Mason W, Fede, Leo, Henry B, Dylan S, Owen B, Luis, Quinn C, Lincoln M, Liel, Troy, Keats, Alfie, Michael L, Noah W, Levi W, James P, Blaine were the elephants, giraffes, birds, antelope, zebras, lions, hyenas and wildebeest. They can dance too!
