Janet Schrader, Democrat Reporter
Suwannee High alumni faced off on the basketball court Friday, Nov. 18. It was East side West side game with the line of demarcation being Houston Street. The East side of town beat the West in a fantastic five-quarter game. the final tally was 140-135, but West had the lead several times.
Players in the alumni game had to pay $25 to play. All proceeds of the well-attended contest went to the Basketball Boosters. Alumni from as far back as seven years ago played.
The East squad was coached by ex-Suwannee High basketball coach Terry Brinson and the West side was coached by Suwannee's assistant basketball coach jimmy Cherry.
The East side
Jason Jackson
Sherman Wells
Mario Jamison
Dante Williams
Eddie Ford
Ernesto Mendoza
Quinton Riley
Bubba Andrews
Ronnie Jordan
Elvan Warren
The West side
Jimmy Cherry II
Philip Clark
Dwayne Green
Anthony "Pookie" Williams
Michael Lett
Bonnie Brown
Patrelle Clayton
David Jones
Detoria Edwards
Lee Williams
The East took an early lead but West quickly caught up. After the first period the score was 25-22 with East in the lead.
After two quarters the game was tied at 55. East took the lead again when half-time was called after three periods of play. The players took a break with the score at 89-81.
David Jones was the high point scorer after three periods with 26 points and 13 assists.
After four periods West took the lead. It looked bad for the East side. West led 128-124 and with only 3:35 left to play, West inched the lead up to 131-126.
The crowd went crazy as East worked hard to close the gap. Bubba Andrews scored for East to make it 131-133 with two minutes left. Eddie Ford got the tying basket for East, making it 133-133 with 1:39 left to play. West lost an opportunity to score and East had the ball with 40 seconds left. East went up 135-133 and the game ended with the score 140-135.
The game was a huge success. The crowd enjoyed watching players they remember from Suwannee high and the players had a great time playing on their old home court.
Bubba Andrews was the top scorer for East with 21 points. Sherman Wells had 20 points. Eddie Ford had 19 points. Jason Jackson had 18 points. Ronnie Jordan had 15 points. Mario Jamison had 14, Elvan Warren 13, Ernesto Mendoza 12, Dante Williams five and Quinton Riley had four points.
Top scorer for West was David Jones with 34 points. Anthony Williams had 27, Jimmy Cherry II had 22, Dwayne Green had 16, Patrelle Clayton 11, James Perry seven, Detoria Edwards five, Lee Williams and Michael Lett scored four each and Philip Clark scored two.
