![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
From Mustang to Wrecker, Matthew Corrigan ’26 faced a rivalry in the Staples boys’ basketball game versus Warde on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Corrigan transferred from Warde High School this year as a junior, taking advantage of his mother’s position as a teacher at Staples High School, which allowed him to attend Staples while still living in Fairfield. Having played on the Warde varsity boys’ basketball team since freshman year, he now finds himself competing for Staples on the same stage.
Adjusting to a new team, a different coaching system and learning how to play with new teammates was a challenge, but Corrigan quickly found his fitting. Despite being the new kid, Corrigan has felt welcomed from the start.
“Since the first day I played with them I felt like I was already a part of the family,” Corrigan said.
The game against Warde was one of the biggest this season, not only because Warde is one of the most competitive basketball teams in Fairfield County, but because it is his old team. However, he was not nervous about playing them, and credited the team and coaches for their support and preparation.
Does Corrigan have an advantage knowing all his teammates and coaches tricks? Yes and no. Corrigan knows a lot of Warde’s tendencies as he has been playing with them for years, but he believes they had their own plan as they used different plays from last season.
“They also know how I play which could make it harder for me,” Corrigan said.
While it may have been harder for Corrigan, Staples dominated 73-50 over Warde with Corrigan putting up 12 points. The win wasn’t just a celebration of the team but also for Corrigan. The Staples fans, dressed in Hawaiian shirts, erupted in cheers anytime Corrigan got the ball or scored.
Basketball captain Mason Tobias ’26 spoke about the team’s commitment to both the game and having Corrigan’s back.
“If we aren’t giving 110% for Matthew, then we are bad teammates,” Tobias said.
Fairfield Warde’s Ryan Moore played against Corrigan on Tuesday. They have been teammates for years between playing together on Warde and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He describes seeing Corrigan on the opposing team as weird but wishes him the best over the next two years for his basketball career.
“He’s a really good kid and has always been supportive of me,” Moore said.
No matter the team, Corrigan has been seen as key both on the court and to his teammates’ hearts.
“He has brought a certain joy and goofiness to the team,” Tobias said, “that hasn’t been there in recent years.”
This story was originally published on Inklings on February 6, 2025.