DULUTH — Duluth Denfeld High School saw a rematch of — not for — the ages Friday, as school staff and students faced off in a third annual basketball game during an all-school assembly.
Duluth Denfeld student Jayden Wynn, right, questions a jump ball call by referee Brian Stolarzyk in the first half of the student vs staff basketball game at Denfeld High School.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
As part of the Student Government-organized event, 10 Denfeld staff members, including boys’ basketball coach Phill Homere, met a dozen students on the court for the chance of winning the ultimate prize — Denfeld’s “golden basketball,” which is signed by the winning team and displayed year-round at the school.
Duluth Denfeld student Tori Nylund, right, drives past head girls basketball coach Erik Reinertsen during the first half of the staff vs. student basketball game.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
While the students won in 2024, a staff victory the following year set the two teams up for a tiebreaker match Friday morning. With a 52-40 lead, staff walked away as reigning champs, maintaining their “golden” basketball status for another year.
Duluth Denfeld senior Lee Brooks, left, scores over head boys basketball coach Phill Homere.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Duluth Denfeld student Aina Ellsworth smiles as she gets “pulled over” by officer Chris Simons during a skit before the staff vs student basketball game.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Staff team:
Daniel FranklinCurtis HornerJosh BorchardtRoger LofaldQuron MarksTyler BrunsGregory DuncanSam OddenPhill HomereErik Reinertsen
Freshmen at Duluth Denfeld High School wave their phones in the air before the staff team is announced.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Duluth Denfeld student Aina Ellsworth runs with the Denfeld Hunter flag.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Student team:
Breaira KiddBreaysha KiddHeidi Isackson-RidgelyEddie ChristopherKyson RobyVictoria NylundJayden WynnDeon BergnerLee BrooksMaurissa HendricksJak KingKeeovion Thomas
The Duluth Denfeld cheerleaders perform during halftime of the student vs staff basketball game at DHS on Friday morning.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Emma McNamee joined the Duluth News Tribune in February 2025 as a reporter covering K-12 schools and higher education in the Duluth area.