On Saturday, January 17, 2026 The Lady Dragons at Dewey got to play on an official WNBA court at Barclays Center, and won the game defeating Harry Van Arsdale High School.
The John Dewey High School girls basketball team experienced a dream come true when they stepped on to the hardwood at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and WNBA’s New York Liberty.
Playing on the same court where professional athletes compete night after night, the team rose to the occasion, defeating Harry Van Arsdale High School in an unforgettable victory.
The opportunity to play on an NBA Arena is a unique and rare experience for high school athletes.
The Barclays Center created an exciting environment with high level facilities and a capacity of almost 18,000 spectators that made competition more than just high school games. Instead of being intimidated by the big stage, Lady Dragons took advantage of the opportunity and delivered a triumphant performance.
According to Mr. Chandler, “Actually, it wasn’t much of a difference. The court is obviously a little bit bigger, but I felt like I zone out the same way. It was on a lot of people then, but at the same time, I felt as though once you’re coaching, you’re into the game, you’re more focused on the kids playing and just getting kids rotating in.”
The win against Harry Van Arsdale High School highlighted the team’s talent, perseverance, and capacity to excel in high-pressure situations. Competing in such a renowned location made the victory even more meaningful, leaving lasting memories for these student-athletes well beyond their high school years.
Deborah Louis, who is a sophomore on the team, said “I felt happy because of the high level of exposure. What helped us stay in was the energy everyone was excited to be there and keeping a positive mindset. Something I did to stay focused was shutting out all distractions like the bright lights something the coach reinforced was to have fun but keep it professional and to try our hardest.”
Winning isn’t the only goal of this event. The young athletes were able to witness what it takes to compete at a high level, experience the thrill of playing in a professional venue, and demonstrate to themselves that they can perform anywhere. The game at Barclays Center will be remembered by the Dewey Lady Dragons as a season high point and a demonstration of their tenacity and diligence.
Since starting competitive play in the 2011-2012 school year, the Lady Dragons’ basketball program has continued to grow and give student-athletes at John Dewey High School valuable experiences. Winning at Barclays Center is a proud moment for the team, the school, and everyone in the Dewey community.
Sophomore player Jasmine Tan sent a message to our school community after the game highlighting the win and funds raised for the team in the process, saying:
“Dear JDHS Basketball Lady Dragon Supporters,
On the 17th of January, we the Lady Dragons, were gifted with the opportunity to play against Harry Van Arsdale at The Barclay’s Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets. We won!!! On Behalf of the team I would like to thank everyone that showed support throughout the season. The donations will go towards supporting us and the progress of our team. For all the love and support, we want to give you all a big Thank You! With a goal of $1K, we actually raised $1.4K! You guys went above and beyond to show your support for our team, and we deeply appreciate it. So again, Luv 🙃”