Wareham Middle and High School teachers and administrators are dedicated to setting an example for the town’s youngsters, unless you put them on a basketball court.

Staff from both schools dropped their professional personas and picked up new ones, that of hard fouling, trash talkin’ ballers for the first ever faculty basketball game fundraiser, held Wednesday.

A small, energetic crowd turned out for the game, which the middle school staff won 40-39. The victory brought with it bragging rights and the winning team’s named engraved on a trophy, to be handed back and forth between the teams in years to come.

Teachers and administrators adopted nicknames for the game that were written on the back of their T-shirts. Wareham Middle School Principal Dr. Peter Steedman was “El Jefe,” Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino was “Land Lord.” Other names included “Z,” “Ka$h,” “Killer B” and “Ref.”

In addition to bringing staff and students together, the Parent Teacher Organization-sponsored game raised $539 for both schools.

"On behalf of the PTA I would like to say thank you to the teachers, staff and administration of both schools for agreeing to participate in a friendly, competitive game of B-ball,” said Parent Teacher Association member Kim Cormier, who helped organize the game. “As more people find out about it we expect the crowds to get bigger and bigger. We can't wait for next year's game.”