Blogging with Bryan C. Hanks

First off — THANK YOU to everyone who took part in today’s sixth annual United Way Day of Basketball. We raised $4,000 — the most-ever in the event’s history and that was due to you!

Secondly, it was good that the Media finally took a game as we defeated the Coaches, 52-51. Dusty Davis hit a free throw with no time remaining to give the Media the victory. Thanks to all the media that took part, in particular — Brian North and Derek Bayne from WCTI ABC-12, Chris Hemeyer and Donald Ingram from TACC-9, along with Chris Miller and Greg Bond from the Jacksonville Daily News and all my compatriots from The Free Press.

Special thanks to today’s special free-lancers: Jeremy Ingram and Antwan Scott. Heh heh.

As I predicted in the paper today, Kinston’s Akeem “A.K.” Sutton won the slam-dunk competition, while North Lenoir’s Rashee Hawkins was the runner-up. In the 3-point contest, it also went as I predicted as Kinston’s Reggie Bullock defended his title against 2006 champion Tyler Potter of North Lenoir.

The Munn Maniacs have to get their props, too, as they won back the title against the Hawk Krazees, 31-27. The Maniacs won the first matchup two years ago and now hold a 2-1 lead in the series.

Again — thank you to everyone who made today possible, from Wynn Whittington and Wells Gulledge at Kinston High School to Ron Owens (the PA dude), Keith Sherrod (the scoreboard operator) and all the United Way folks who ran the concession stand and were at the doors.

TACC-9 will broadcast the day’s events at 8 p.m. on Monday, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and on ENC TV at 1 a.m. on Sunday. THANK YOU to Clark Tutt for broadcasting the game!

I want to thank Tommy Pharo and the good folks at Minges Bottling for donating more than 50 cases of drinks for the sixth straight year. Pharo has been a part of the event every year and I don’t know how we would do it without him.

This was the most successful United Way Day of Basketball yet — thank you!

2007

3-point shootout: Reggie Bullock, Kinston (runner-up: Curtis Hines, Kinston)

Dunk contest: Sherrod Croom, Kinston (runner-up: Marcus Hemby, Kinston) 

2006

3-point shootout: Tyler Potter, Bethel Christian Academy (runner-up: Curtis Hines, Kinston)

Dunk contest: Charles Gamble, Greene Central (runner-up: Quinton Coples, Kinston)

2005

3-point shootout: Omar Jones, North Lenoir (runner-up: Darryl Jones, Kinston)

Dunk contest: no contest held

2004

3-point shootout: Steven Walker, Arendell Parrott Academy (runner-up: Michael Small, Kinston)

Dunk contest: Montel Jones, Kinston (runner-up: Ben Sutton, Kinston)

2003

3-point shootout: no contest held

Dunk contest: Jeremy Ingram, Kinston (runner-up: Kevin Lee, North Lenoir)

Complete rosters to this moment (subject to change)

Media vs. Coaches Game
Media team: Jeremy Ingram, Bryan Hanks, Richard Clark, Charlie Kraebel, Justin Hill, Dusty Davis and Keith Spence (The Free Press); Antwan Scott, Brian North and Derek Bayne (WCTI ABC-12); Donald Ingram and Chris Hemeyer (TACC-9); Chris Miller and Greg Bond (Jacksonville Daily News)

Coach’s team: Wells Gulledge, Larry Powell, Perry Tyndall and David Lawson (Kinston High School); Hubert Quinerly (Rochelle Middle School); John Eric Waters and Reggie Clark (North Lenoir); Jimmy Smith and Vance Wade (South Lenoir); Michael Fulcher (Bethel Christian Academy)

3-point contest: Reggie Bullock (Kinston), Zach Burrus (Mt. Calvary), Matt Dougherty (Ayden-Grifton), Akeem Faison (South Lenoir), Shane Flynn (Bethel), T.J. Goff (Bethel), Mister Height (Kinston), Karissa Herring (South Lenoir), Bo Ingram (Kinston), Matt Jones (Mt. Calvary), Courtney Killinger (Arendell Parrott Academy), Stefan McGhee (Ayden-Grifton), Chris McPhail (North Lenoir), Quan Outlaw (South Lenoir), Tyler Potter (North Lenoir), Ray Webb (Greene Central), Tyler Whaley (Parrott)

Dunk contest: Reggie Bullock (Kinston), Covair Frost (Jones Senior), Alex Graham (South Lenoir), Rashee Hawkins (North Lenoir), Bo Ingram (Kinston), Tim Roberts (North Lenoir), Joshea Singleton (Kinston), Akeem Sutton (Kinston)

Hawk Krazees vs. Munn Maniacs Game
Hawk Krazees: Dustin Downie, Will Norville, Garret Phillips, Steven Warren, Ethan Baird, Josh Moore, Kyle Houston, Courtney Hobbs, Jennifer Pelletier, Kelly Johnson, Kayla Potter and Sara Farmer (coached by NL Principal Ian Solomon)

Munn Maniacs: Troy Smith, Caleb Ard, Dorsey Leach, Scott Novicki, Zach Sutton, Lee Taylor, Keyshawn Strickland, Monte Williams, Garrett Jones, Mary Katheryn Howard, Courtney Lee, Katie Moody, Savannah Daughty, Teresa Heath, Kayla Cole, Louise Davis and Shaneika Thompson (coached by SL Assistant Principal Mike King)