![Bobcat Nation Rocks TD Garden!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675377190/brewsteracademyorg/vas065vmkqivb64rlo05/BoysPrepTDGarden.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675377190/brewsteracademyorg/vas065vmkqivb64rlo05/BoysPrepTDGarden.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1675377190/brewsteracademyorg/vas065vmkqivb64rlo05/BoysPrepTDGarden.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1675377190/brewsteracademyorg/vas065vmkqivb64rlo05/BoysPrepTDGarden.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1675377190/brewsteracademyorg/vas065vmkqivb64rlo05/BoysPrepTDGarden.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675377190/brewsteracademyorg/vas065vmkqivb64rlo05/BoysPrepTDGarden.png","width":1720}])
More than 250 students, faculty and staff joined about 350 alumni, parents and friends at Boston’s TD Garden January 21 to watch the Bobcats take on Worcester Academy at the Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational. They enjoyed mingling at a reception in the Garden’s luxurious 1928 Room and Ford Sports Deck, generously provided by John and Lynn Reichenbach (Emily ’09) and Jim and Katie Robinson (Gracie ’15, Jimmy ’17). Everyone then headed to their seats for a high-energy match against Worcester Academy.
“It was a hard-fought contested basketball game for a full 40 minutes of play between two of the top programs in New England,” Director of Athletics Connor Wells said in the wee hours after Brewster defeated Worcester Academy, 84 to 76. Down at the half, momentum appeared to be with the Hilltoppers. But the Bobcats would not relent. With Bobcat Nation roaring from behind the player benches, the Brewster boys muscled out a second half comeback and victory. The game marks the first time in more than five years that Brewster has played at Boston’s hallowed arena.
Mr. Wells also extended congratulations and thanks to Coach Jason Smith and the Boys’ Prep team for their exceptional play and notable sportsmanship, and for “their overflowing competitive spirit performed at one of the most sacred venues of basketball greatness.” Coach Smith agreed, telling reporters the game was a great opportunity for our athletes to play on the floor where some of them grew up idolizing NBA players.
The Andrew James Lawson Foundation hosted the invitational showcasing top teams and talent from throughout New England. The Foundation’s mission is to advance and improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by funding, developing, and promoting programs, projects, or individual scholarships that encourage and help foster inclusion in their communities. The full-day event included a slate of 11 games, including two contests between unified programs. The mission of the Foundation dovetails with Brewster’s own work for inclusion and the volunteer opportunities our students have enjoyed in recent years: training to help at the Special Olympics, serving as buddies at New Hampshire’s Miss Amazing pageants, and playing as teammates at our own unified sporting events. This made the invitation to The Andrew James Lawson Foundation Tournament—supporting an important cause—that much sweeter.
Brewster’s evening clash with Worcester was billed as the headlining event. The game’s fireworks lived up to the billing, featuring multiple lead changes, high-flying dunks, and long-range three pointers that brought the crowd to their feet. The competition spilled over into the stands as the Brewster faithful engaged in some good-natured egging on with the Worcester student body across the arena. The atmosphere on and off the court made it hard to catch your breath.
The marquee showdown was also a family affair, drawing Bobcat fans of all ages to the Garden, and generated one of the night's biggest moments of levity. At half time, Bobcubs and children supporting all teams were invited down onto the parquet floor for a shoot around on the Celtics’ turf. What followed was nothing short of ebullient chaos as the small ones shot their shots and parents looked on or chased with cell phones to document the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“This was one of those events that will stay with us all for years to come. The Athletics, Student life, and Advancement teams combined forces to plan an incredible event. Students were fantastic, school spirit was on full display, and our Prep team played their hearts out,” Head of School Kristy Kerin said. “We were blessed to have the opportunity to come together for a pre-game reception, hosted by the Reichenbach and Robinson Families at two beautiful spaces at TD Garden. It was fabulous to have students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni parents, and alumni all together to cheer on Brewster!”
Director of Advancement John Northrop echoed Mrs. Kerin’s gratitude to the Reichenbach and Robinson families, and called the event a “mid-winter blast with a scintillating Bobcat hoops win!” adding “It doesn’t get any better!”
“Today was a special day to be a Brewster Bobcat,” Coach Wells wrote to the community the night of the game, describing how the Brewster community first cheered at the Varsity Girls’ Basketball home game versus Wilbraham before the school send-off for the Prep team at Radley Court. Then a caravan of Coach buses made its drive to Legends Way at the TD Garden.
“On a cold and snowy January evening in Wolfeboro,” he concluded, “we will rest well knowing we gave all we had in us to give to our school today. We are proud to be a part of Bobcat Nation.”
Please enjoy all the photos of the big game here.
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