St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) and St. Tikhon’s Seminary (STS) students pose for a post-game photo after the annual basketball challenge between the two schools, which took place February 6, 2009. SVS won the game 65–61.

Team captain and high scorer Daniel Hickman led St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) to a 65–61 victory over St. Tikhon’s Seminary (STS) in the annual basketball challenge between the two schools, which took place February 6, 2009. SVS hosted the STS team and fans for vespers and dinner on the seminary campus before both teams faced off at the gymnasium at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, NY.

“It was a run to the finish,” said Hickman, a second-year student who also serves as the Operations Manager at the SVS Bookstore, as he described a second-half 18-point spread that was almost erased when STS rallied with a late flurry of 3-point baskets.

SVS Chancellor Archpriest Chad Hatfield noted the camaraderie among the teams and fans  of the two seminaries under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and vowed to continue the yearly commitment to “an affable rivalry that creates much friendship between our schools.” SVS also won last year’s challenge on STS’s home court. Members from both teams expressed the desire to increase the number of games between their schools to two per year.

View highlights of the game in our photo gallery.