Laughs & Gasps Highlight Basketball Preview Night
The 11th annual Saints Bookstore Basketball Preview Night went off without a hitch Thursday night in the Greenhouse with over 750 fans on hand to watch the Seward County men's and women's basketball teams as well as cheer and dance teams perform for the first time in 2014.
The night opened with the Saints and Lady Saints meeting and signing autographs for fans for the first time this year. As things moved to the Greenhouse the nights activities began with basketball musical chairs where 6 year old Austin Dodge outdueled Seward tennis player Daichi Ozawa in the finals of the classic game.
Next up was the Coaches Free Throw Contest where Toby Wynn and Kelli Willingham outshot Bryan Zollinger and Patrick Nee 19-16 to continue a four year trend of the title changing hands.
The Dizzy Bat Competition might have been the highlight of the night with SCCC/ATS students falling literally all over the gym after 15 spins around a baseball bat. Des'mne Curtis came out on top as the first to put the ball in the hoop, but well after contestants were knocking over chairs, each other, and Lady Saints players like bowling pins trying to get down the court.
After a four year winning streak in the Battle of the Sexes Three Point Competition, the Saints were hammered by the Lady Saints this year by a score of 27-17, led by sharpshooters Brooklyn Artis, Rebekah Hatchard, Brianna Scott, and Daniela Galindo.
The Saints Uniform Challenge was another fan favorite with three youngsters outfitting themselves in Saints and Lady Saints jerseys and shoes before attempting to make a basket on the other end of the court. In a come from behind victory Elizabeth Mannel was the first to sink her shot wearing the 3 XL jersey and shorts as well as size 13 tennis shoes.
The Slam Dunk Contest was a grinder with Secean Johnson and Nick Singleton sinking both of their attempts to move onto the finals. In the finals Singleton soared from the free throw line to hammer one home and his finals total of 54 points was enough to secure the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest Championship.
Next fans got their first chance to see the Seward County Cheerleaders and Saintsations in action as they put together a creative routine to entertain the crowd.
After the Cheer and Dance performance was complete the Saints and Lady Saints teams were introduced with the lights blacked out and spotlights shining on them. Each team had a special dance to perform at half court for the frenzied crowd after their final teammate was announced.
The night concluded with a pair of scrimmages as the Saints and Lady Saints hit the floor for game action against themselves in front of a crowd for the first time this year. The Lady Saints scrimmage ended with the green team winning a 16-13 battle while the white team took the men's scrimmage by a score of 23-14.
The Saints and Lady Saints will open up the regular season this weekend at the Pepsi Classic in the Greenhouse. The Lady Saints will play at 6:00 both days while the Saints will hit the court at 8:00 Friday and Saturday. Free tickets are available courtesy of our buyout sponsor Pepsi at their Liberal office as well as at Hutch's, Pizza Hut, and First National Bank in Liberal.
