San Antonio Academy
8th Graders Edge Out Alumni in Thrilling One-Point Victory
8th Graders Edge Out Alumni in Thrilling One-Point Victory
Posted November 7, 2025
In a heart-pounding finish that had fans on their feet, San Antonio Academy’s 8th-grade Wildcat basketball team clinched a dramatic one-point win over the alumni in the annual Alumni vs. 8th Grade Basketball Game.
Held Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in the McCombs Gymnasium, 15 alumni suited up to take on the Wildcats in what marked the 8th graders’ first game of the season. According to former SAA Athletic Director Mike Heineman, this tradition was revived in 1995 after a hiatus and has almost always favored the alumni. Until now, the 8th-grade team had never come close to a win.
This year’s matchup told a different story. From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, the game stayed neck and neck. When the last shot fell, the scoreboard revealed a narrow but momentous victory for the 8th graders, and one for the Academy history books.
Players ranged from recent graduates to alumni from the 1990s. Among them was Bryant Gradillas ’26, who faced off against his 8th grade brother Kevin.
The evening was more than just a game—it was a celebration of brotherhood, tradition, and the spirit of The Academy. A heartfelt thank-you to all the alumni, families, staff, and students who attended and cheered on our Wildcats. It's with your support that we can keep this Academy tradition going strong.
View more photos in the Flickr Gallery below!
Divider Logo
More Stories of Interest...
![Elementary School Grandparents' Chapel: January 16]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755831331/saacademyorg/nv9gtr5um3pz2kekl0ji/GrandparentsChapel.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1755831331/saacademyorg/nv9gtr5um3pz2kekl0ji/GrandparentsChapel.png","width":500}])
We look forward to our 3rd–5th grade grandparents joining us on Friday, January 16, for our third Grandparents' Chapel & Coffee program of the school year, where they can learn how the boys start their days at SAA. They'll also hear an Academy 8th grader deliver his Fraternitas Friday speech on the Pillars of an Academy Boy, and get a closer look at SAA's Military Leadership Program.
![Will Watson - Class of 2007 (Alumni Monday Speaker)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764609347/saacademyorg/yeuhqxhn4inzphjai8zy/AlumniMonday-WillWatson.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764609347/saacademyorg/yeuhqxhn4inzphjai8zy/AlumniMonday-WillWatson.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764609347/saacademyorg/yeuhqxhn4inzphjai8zy/AlumniMonday-WillWatson.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764609347/saacademyorg/yeuhqxhn4inzphjai8zy/AlumniMonday-WillWatson.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764609347/saacademyorg/yeuhqxhn4inzphjai8zy/AlumniMonday-WillWatson.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1764609347/saacademyorg/yeuhqxhn4inzphjai8zy/AlumniMonday-WillWatson.jpg","width":2200}])
San Antonio Academy welcomed back alumnus Will Watson ’07 as the Alumni Monday speaker on December 1, 2025. Returning to campus for the first time in several years, Will shared reflections on his time at The Academy and the life lessons that have guided him through his education, career, and personal growth.
![Learn About SAA's Outdoor Leadership Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764603198/saacademyorg/pkvj1zntnyb3emu76jat/Outdoor-Leadership-fishing.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764603198/saacademyorg/pkvj1zntnyb3emu76jat/Outdoor-Leadership-fishing.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764603198/saacademyorg/pkvj1zntnyb3emu76jat/Outdoor-Leadership-fishing.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764603198/saacademyorg/pkvj1zntnyb3emu76jat/Outdoor-Leadership-fishing.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764603198/saacademyorg/pkvj1zntnyb3emu76jat/Outdoor-Leadership-fishing.png","width":1250}])
San Antonio Academy’s Outdoor Leadership Program is a key component of The Academy Experience, shaping boys into confident, capable leaders through meaningful study of the natural world. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through 8th grade, students build knowledge, responsibility, and respect through conservation, safety education, outdoor skills, and real-world application.
Watch the video that debuted at our Grandparents Day Convocation to see how our boys grow in character, leadership, and purpose through this exceptional program.
![Honoring Academy Grandparents with Special Convocation and Parade]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763752583/saacademyorg/nyrnmqhw5672ledtg4rf/brownings.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763752583/saacademyorg/nyrnmqhw5672ledtg4rf/brownings.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763752583/saacademyorg/nyrnmqhw5672ledtg4rf/brownings.png","width":737}])
San Antonio Academy students welcomed some of their most favorite people into their school lives during the annual Grandparents and Grandfriends Day celebration. The morning featured joyful performances, student reflections on the school's Four Pillars, and a special look at the Outdoor Leadership Program before families gathered for a parade and time together in classrooms.