A Quick 60
The Challenge
MSGVarsity.com Sports Talk
High School SportsDesk
A unique perspective of the Woodstick Classic
By Isabella Calpakis
122 games over 77 years. Tradition dominates. Same game, same mindset. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Woodstick Classic.
The announcer’s voice echoes from the loudspeaker, booming across the stands, reaching the field, while sponsors’ tents surround the track enclosing Warren King Field. This year’s Woodstick Classic, hosted by Garden City High School, holds the same level of excitement as a championship match.
The Manhasset High School Indians and the Garden City Trojans play head-to-head in what Manhasset boys’ lacrosse coach Bill Cherry deems as “the most exciting game of the year.”
The Marines entered the field at around 4:15 pm, with a ceremonial introduction of the American flag. The marching band and flag team of Garden City then performed for the supporters adorning the bleachers with colors of either orange and blue (Manhasset), or burgundy and white (Garden City). The game kicked off after the four captains of each team stood face-to-face.
During the first half of the game, Manhasset was down 6-0. However, a comeback allowed the Indians to get closer during the second half ,when Manhasset scored two goals within the first few minutes of the third quarter. In the end, however, Garden City Trojans prevailed, 9-3.
Throughout the event, Heather Chow and I were able to experience first-hand the experience of being a student reporter, along with two other student reporters from Garden City. ID badges with the label of “MSG Varsity Crew” allowed us to witness behind-the-scenes action, and report from the sidelines of the field.
We toured the MSG Varsity production truck during the prime moments of halftime—the entire truck of screens was filled with action from MSG Varsity workers collaborating to produce the exciting event. Holding an MSG Varsity microphone, we spoke to the camera in our segments of introductions, half-time interviews of vendors, interviews of the coaches after the game and wrap-up. Overall, the entire outcome of the day proved a valuable opportunity.
And who knows? Maybe the score just might be the other way around when Manhasset meets Garden City in the playoffs and the next Woodstick Classic.
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By Heather Chow
The 122nd Wood Stick Classic took place at Warren King Field, with Garden City defeating Manhasset, 9-3.
The two teams worked long and hard for this annual game and both teams had a huge amount of support in the stands.
The Wood Stick Classic was broadcast live on MSG Varsity and many groups, such as the United States Marines, Nike, MSG Varsity and Monster’s Kids set up booths just outside of the field area.
During the event, I was fortunate enough to interview Staff Sergeant Disla of the Marines. When asked if training for the Marines and training for lacrosse was similar, Disla said it was because of the similar type of training, running, etc.
Overall, covering the Woodstick Classic was a very good experience.
