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Local Sports
Celebrates 30 Years Of Sending Students To College:
Coaches Named For All-Star Basketball Classic
The game raises funds for UNCF scholarships to help players pay for higher education.
The Tampa Basketball Committee announces the 30th Annual All-Star Bas- ketball Classic, presented by the Tampa Bay Sports Com- mission, on Friday, March 6, 2015. The girls’ and boys’ games will be played at Tampa’s Jefferson High School, starting at 6 p.m., and will feature three-point shootout and slam dunk contests during intermis- sion.
Coaches for the games are: East Boys team, Tampa Bay Tech High Head Coach Adrian Johnson; West Boys team, Jefferson High Head Coach Eric Hayes; East Girls team, Brooks De- Bartolo Collegiate High Head Coach Maggie Hed- ley; and West Girls team, Tampa Preparatory School Head Coach J. C. Smith.
The Committee has in- vited college scouts from throughout Florida to watch these athletes in action with hopes they can offer players
ADRIAN JOHNSON ...Head Coach, Tampa Bay Tech; to coach East Boys’ Team
full scholarships. Funds from the game will support UNCF scholarships.
“This game allows high school students to showcase their skills, and it also raises funds for scholarships,” said Ricky Roberts, co-chair of the event. “All high schools in Hillsborough County have been invited to participate, so the game brings the entire community together for fun and enjoyment.”
The All-Star Basketball Classic was started 30 years ago, by legendary educator Dr. Sam Horton, as an opportunity for African- American students to demonstrate their basketball prowess to college scouts.
ERIC HAYES ...Head Coach, Jefferson High School; to coach West Boys Team
Then, there were only about 10 high schools in Hillsbor- ough County. As the game has grown, and the number of high schools has more than tripled, students of all backgrounds have benefit- ted from playing in the city- wide game. A big advantage for players is that many of them will go home with money to help pay for col- lege.
“The funds we raise stays right here in the commu- nity,” said Roberts. “Local players will receive scholar- ships that night based on high GPAs and other accom- plishments.”
“I am excited to continue the legacy of Dr. Sam Hor-
MAGGIE HEDLEY ...Head Coach, Brooks-DeBar- tolo Collegiate High School; to coach East Girls’ Team
ton and honor the top bas- ketball players in the county,” said Angel Williams, co-chair of the event. “It has been a great joy to work with so many leaders in our community.”
The All-Star Basketball Classic is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Sports Commis- sion, Moffitt Cancer Center, George Edgecomb Bar Asso- ciation, Ted Taylor & Associ- ates, P.A., Joli Cooper-Nelson, CCM Graphics, Tarence Kinsey Foundation, Big John’s Ala- bama BBQ, Melissa Polo Law, P.A. and Ricky Roberts Photography.
General admission tick- ets are $5 and corporate
J. C. SMITH ...Head Coach, Tampa Preparatory School; to coach West Girls’ Team
sponsorships are also avail- able. For more information on the 30th Annual All-Star Game, please contact UNCF at (407) 896-6940 or visit uncf.org.
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organi- zation.
Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and uni- versities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in educa- tion and its widely recog- nized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Learn more at www.UNCF.org.
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