The Panthers came into Senior Night sporting a 15-5 record on the season. A Potomac District game and crucial seeding for the conference playoffs was on the line. However, on this particular Senior Night, there was also something else was at stake. Senior manager Robert Smith was getting the opportunity to dress for the game, and even had a chance to play, but only if the timing was right.

 “I was sitting on the bench in the first quarter and I hear the student section chant ‘We want Robert!’ It dawned on me then that, I’m Robert. That’s me who they’re chanting for,” said Smith.

With the Panthers up by double digits late in the first half, Head Coach Jeff Hawes slapped Smith on the leg, signaling for him to go check in at the scorer’s table. After waiting for what seemed an eternity, Smith stepped on the court to a standing ovation from parents and the Panther Pit.

Smith held the ball late in the first half, but was swarmed by Freedom Eagles, unable to get a shot attempt off as the game went to halftime. As the game wound down in the fourth quarter, Freedom had cut the lead to six points. More importantly, however, it appeared Smith would not get to see the floor again.

 “As the fourth quarter wound down, I started to get the feeling that the only experience I would have of playing would be the final 90 seconds of that half. It made me pretty upset cause I really wanted to get into the game,” said Smith.

But, with just over a minute to play and the Panthers holding an unstable nine point lead, Smith was summoned to the court once again, to a standing ovation.

 “The first thing I remember hearing was my team yelling ‘Robert turn around and get on D!’”

After a missed three pointer by Freedom, sophomore Danny Cox grabbed the rebound and threw a pass to sophomore Jack Mologne. Mologne fired the ball to a waiting Smith under the basket. Smith pump faked and hit the layup, getting fouled in the process.

 “If it was hockey or soccer, I probably would’ve been offsides but it’s not so I was ok. I ran as fast as I could down the court. After I got the ball, I heard footsteps behind me, so I pump faked, probably because I have a history of pump faking. I shot it, it went in, but I heard the ref blow the whistle. I thought ‘Oh my God I just traveled. My whole memory just went down the drain. I traveled.’ But he called a foul and the crowd went crazy,” said Smith.

Even after the free throw shot, the crowd stayed standing to salute the senior manager. The game ended in a 73-57 win for the Panthers.

 “I scored, everyone went crazy, and we celebrated the win. But then Coach Hawes found me, and said ‘Robert I hope you enjoyed this. We’re gonna need you as a manager for the playoffs.’ He was really happy all of the seniors scored. That was special for the class of 2014.”

Smith has since returned to his managing spot. He has managed the team throughout the playoffs, and will travel with the team this evening to Potomac High School to manage the Panthers against the undefeated Potomac Panthers. Smith has not forgotten Senior Night through the stress of managing a sport and throughout the playoffs.

 “It is something I will always remember. It’s something I’m gonna hold close for a long time,” said Smith.