Playing for a cause

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Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen Dalton High’s Markisha Washington, front, reacts after being called for a playful “hugging” foul on Northwest Whitfield’s Christy Robinson during the Make-A-Wish All-Star basketball games Saturday at Northwest in Tunnel Hill.

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March 20, 2010

Games benefit seriously ill kids

By Doug Hawley Daily Citizen Correspondent

DALTON — Baleigh Coley made a believer of the boys entered in Saturday’s 3-point shooting contest at the 12th Make-A-Wish All-Star basketball games.

Coley, the diminutive sharp-shooting point guard for Northwest Whitfield High’s Class 4A state runners-up, ran away with the girls competition and actually outshot all the males and the Lady Bruins senior stole the spotlight.

“I’m shocked,” the 5-foot-4-inch Coley said. “Believe me, I never expected it. I didn’t even know if I could beat all of the girls.”

In two separate 1-minute sessions with rapid-fire consistency, the Columbus College signee canned 40 shots. Boys champion Ben Patton, of Dade County, made 33.

Putting the contest and games into perspective, Coley said, “This is all for a good cause. It’s taking time out of your day for something so worthwhile.”

Seth Davenport of Murray County displayed his jumping ability by winning the boys’ slam-dunk competition. Tyler Burse of LaFayette finished second.

Davenport’s biggest crowd-pleasing dunk came after leaping over Dalton High post Jalen Fields, who was standing in the lane.

“I was sitting there trying to think of something to do differently,” Davenport said. “Jalen told me that he would squat down for me, and it worked. It’s an honor to win this. You can’t help but want to participate in something like this, which is a fund-raiser for cancer.”

Without the pressure of a regular-season or postseason game, boys and girls players — all are seniors — were more relaxed, with numerous smiles observed. Host Northwest was joined on Team Hawaii by Murray County and Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe, with Dalton, Southeast Whitfield, Christian Heritage and Sonoraville making up Team Disney.

“Anytime you can help Make-A-Wish or other people with needs, you want to help,” said Northwest girls’ coach Margaret Stockburger, who directed Team Hawaii. “All of the players had fun. I was glad to coach my six Northwest seniors for the last time. They only played together for the most part at the end.”

Stockburger’s squad prevailed, 41-36, behind LFO post Jasmain Carey’s 13 points. Dalton’s Markisha Washington, who had as much fun as anybody on the court, had a game-high 14 points to pace Team Disney.

Late in the first half, she was called for a comedic “hugging foul” while trying to guard Northwest’s Christy Robinson, who at 6-3, is 6 inches taller than Washington.

“Ah, it was all in fun,” a smiling Washington said. “We want to help those kids who are sruggling.”

In a scintillating boys score-a-thon, Team Disney defeated Team Hawaii, 96-82.

Southeast’s Ty Bonds scored 16 points and Christian Heritage’s Will Clark added 14 for the winners. Burse bucketed a game-high 28 points for Team Hawaii and Davenport added 16.

“We give our time and talents for such a good cause,” said Terry Phelps, who has officiated in all 12 all-star events. “It’s good to see all of the players you’ve called all year in their last competitive high school experience. Since a lot of them will go onto college ball, I don’t want them to take extra chances and risk injury.”

Ron McKinney and his daughter, Heidi, who orchestrated the event for the years it was played at Christian Heritage, received the James Taylor Humanitarian Award.

“We literally followed the script from other years,” said Louis Fordham, who directed Saturday’s games and contests. “It was easy to plan. The greatest challenge is the logistics for getting the coaches and players here. We have 100 percent volunteer help locally. We had a typical crowd of 300 to 400 people and the players and parents are our greatest supporters.”

Fordham said sponsorships help in providing an average of $4,000 to $6,000 each year from the games.

Dr. David Witherow served as the public address announcer.

“I’ve done this every year except one,” Witherow saiid. “I was involved with doing the PA in the state tournament (the one year he missed).”

THE LIGHTER SIDE: Boys 3-point champion Patton was a bit skiddish about his uniform.

“I forgot my jersey and had to wear a Northwest jersey,” he said. “I hope my coach (Glen Hicks) doesn’t hear about this.”