3/2/04

Youth Basketball Coaches Take the Court in Weekend Tournament

The last weekend in February, the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Department organized the first annual Coaches Basketball Challenge, a tournament where the volunteer youth basketball coaches play against each other. The 40 basketball coaches who signed up for the tournament were split into four teams based on height and playing experience.

In the first game, the Golden Gophers beat the Green Goblins 39-28 with a late rally to put the game away. The second game was won by the Blue Bombers with a 40-37 count over the Red Riders. Red Rider Tom Tankelewicz attempted to tie the game with a long range three pointer that fell short just before the buzzer sounded. After the second game, a three-point shootout was held for the women and for the men. In the women’s division, Sherry Wantz and Kelly Elwell tied in the opening round with 7 points out of a possible 15. In the tiebreaker, Wantz went on to win in the shootout with 6 points.

In the men's division, David Smith hit 8 out of a possible 15 points to win the shootout. Mike Verian finished second with 7 points. In the third game of the Coaches Basketball Challenge, the consolation game, the Red Riders beat the Green Goblins 41-25, again with a late push to put the game away. The championship game was won by the Blue Bombers 34-31 after trailing by 7 points to the Golden Gophers at halftime. The Bombers not only took away the win; they took away the tournament bobble-head trophies. (The team and trophies are pictured above.)

“It was a fun and entertaining day for all the coaches and fans,” said Smith, who helped organize the tournament. “Even though I’m still sore, we’re looking forward to our second annual Coaches Basketball Challenge next year.”

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us