by Shawn Nowlin
As the days for the Winter Classic Basketball Challenge approached, it was a foregone conclusion that those who enjoy the game of basketball would come out and support the event.” The day that I found out about the hoops classic I sent a text to my wife and son,” Roanoke native Michael Lawson said. “We are all big basketball fans and wanted to see some of the best players in high school basketball do their thing.”Hundreds packed the Berglund Center (former Roanoke Civic Center) to see the four-game event that featured high schools: Patrick Henry, L.C. Bird, Rockbridge County, Christiansburg, Oak Hill Academy, Virginia Episcopal, William Fleming, and Cape Henry Collegiate. Tickets for the highly competitive event went for ten dollars with proceeds going to benefit local non-profit organizations. “Snowflake tokens” were given to attendees to vote on their favorite non-profits and the ones with the most votes received a percentage of the proceeds.
“Some of the non-profit organizations participating were the Salvation Army and Total Action for Progress (TAP) and they are very important to this event. It’s imperative for the community to know what is available and how to utilize these resources,” said City Councilman Sherman Lea, Sr. “We were thrilled to see such special young people come and make statements regarding community service and education,” he added.
S.P. Lea and Associates, founded by the councilman, and Hope Support Services, founded by son S.P. Lea, Jr. sponsored the event.
Aside from featuring some of the best players and coaches in high school, the Winter Classic also drew some of Roanoke’s best sports fans. William Fleming High School had the honor of being the first team to take the court defeating Rockbridge County 73 – 32.
“Playing here at the Berglund Center was great…having that type of NBA like atmosphere it was a once in a lifetime experience,” senior forward Ja’land Robinson said after guiding the Colonels to victory. “Winning the game with our ‘team play’ was awesome….also seeing some of the top recruits go head to head was great.”
Fellow Colonel Warren Craft, who will play his college football at the University of Virginia next year, was unable to participate due to recent dental surgery. Before the second game got under way, eleven members on the 1992 Patrick Henry State Basketball Championship Team including the coaching staff were all acknowledged at half-court receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
When the Patriots won the state championship 23 years ago, Troy Manns was a senior point guard about to head to George Mason University (GMU) on a full scholarship. Curtis Staples, a sophomore shooting guard at the time, was a few years away from attending UVA where his NCAA career best 413 3-pointers mark stood for eight years. The two current head coaches are good friends yet still manage to maintain a healthy competitive edge as both teams showed during the game.
Staples’ Virginia Episcopal Bishops got the best of Manns’ L.C. Bird Skyhawks 79 – 59. Future Virginia Commonwealth University Ram Kenny Smith (VE) and UVA Cavalier Sacha Killeya – Jones (LC) were both impressive however Jones ultimately rose as game MVP.
“We solicited the help of former Patrick Henry Coach Woody Dean who has a great relationship with many other coaches and athletic directors and he was able to make the lineup happen…he did an incredible job,” said Sherman Lea, Sr. Additionally Staples has been quoted testifying to the “tremendous impact” Dean has had on his life on and off the court.
The last time Patrick Henry High played in the arena was in 2008 when they lost to cross-town rival William Fleming by ten points. This time around they defeated the Blue Demons of Christiansburg High 31- 30. Always intense on the sidelines, Coach Esworthy got the victory by demanding his Patriots play as a collective unit as oppose to individuals. “Everybody can’t be Kwame Brown or Adam Morrison,” said Harrison Kelly, one of the many fans who was elated to finally have such an event in this area considering it has been over two decades since the newly renamed venue hosted a basketball event of this magnitude. Back in 1988, 9,632 fans packed the building to cheer on local favorite Patrick Henry, coached by Woody Dean, as they defeated traditional powerhouse DeMatha Catholic 79 – 71.
The highly anticipated match-up between Cape Henry Collegiate, ranked #14 in the country by USA Today, and #1 Oak Hill Academy did not disappoint. An argument can be made that Oak Hill Academy is the greatest prep program of all time. Since Steve Smith became head coach in 1983 the Warriors have had unprecedented success: 8x National High School Champions, 18 players drafted in the NBA and over 900 career victories. Notables who have worn the Warriors uniform over the years include: Kevin Durant, Eric Devendorf, Carmelo Anthony, Tywon Lawson, Jerry Stackhouse, J.R. Reynolds, Rod Strickland, Rajon Rondo, and A.J. Hammons.
Both teams entered the game with only one loss on the season and it took a double overtime effort for the Warriors to narrowly escape with the 81 – 76 victory. Several players on both rosters are bona fide D-1 prospects including consensus top 100 talents nationally: Dwayne Bacon (Florida State #20), Chris Clarke (Virginia Tech #52), Daniel Giddens (Ohio State #56), Josh Reaves (Penn State #70), and Terrence Phillips (Missouri #98).
Clarke, arguably the best player in Virginia and a potential McDonalds All American, picked the Hokies over offers from Connecticut and Tennessee. Not many players possess his god given gifts. Even as a college freshman he will more than likely be among the best athletes in the Atlantic Coast Conference. College recruiters and high school prep analysts from all over were out in force at the event. “One really cool thing about today is that it’s an opportunity for unheralded kids to attract attention,” said one college coach. “Let’s face it every kid is not a D-1 talent but excelling on a stage like this could lead to getting a full ride at a great D-2 or even D-3 school.” Sherman Lea, Sr. and his son plan on bringing the event back next year. “We think that it’s a win – win for the community, the non-profits, and the student athletes.”
