Former W-W Tigers, now ASU Jaguar, Tyrekus A.J. Bowman does the alleyoop from teammate Jamaal Binns during last Saturday's first-ever Tiger Alumni Basketball Game. A team of about a dozen alumni took the court against the upcoming Tiger varsity for an exciting game that was

fun for players and fans alike.

In the beginning it looked as if experience and wisdom would be no match for youth and strength as the 2006 Washington-Wilkes Tigers jumped out to a 33-22 first-quarter lead over returning players in the first-ever Tiger Alumni Basketball Game held last Saturday.

By halftime that lead had changed hands a couple of times and had dwindled down to just two points. The gap then continued to widen except for a late rally by the young Tigers which actually brought them to within just three points with under three minutes in the game. In the end, though, the masterful prowess of the former Tigers prevailed as they moved into triple digits and took it home 103-92.

W-WCHS principal Andrew Jackson was doubtless the eldest of the alumni but that didn't hamper his contribution at all. Even though he saw only limited (but plenty) playing time, he sank two baskets including one sweet corner bank shot that kissed ever so lightly off the backboard before going in. The old-timer was also effective on defense.

The show of the night, however, was the superior ball handling, the innumerable aerials, the phenomenal play-making, and the powerful slam-dunking of team of alumni that looked like they had been playing together for months. Jamaal Binns and Tyrekus Bowman looked like that hadn't missed playing together a single day since they led the Tigers into the playoffs two years ago. Franchot Brown, Donorio Quinn, and Chris Graves showed they have even better vertical ability than ever and Lazarus Chennault, Miles Anderson, and Debargia Cofer also proved they've still got it on the court.

All that is not to say that the new Tigers were also a big part of the show. In fact, Lucious Stewart was high scorer on the court with 27 points, outpacing even Bowman's 24 and Graves' 20. Also in double figures for the Tigers were Larry Davis with an even dozen and P. Turman with 10.

What's more is that every young Tiger that played got on the scoreboard with at least one field goal and they averaged over nine points each. At halftime, the W-WPRD championship cheerleaders entertained with number of cheers and formations at center court. During the game, they very diplomatically maintained a highly vocal, but neutral, presence.

The gym was about half full for what has to be about the hottest night of basketball played in the W-WES gym's history. But the heat didn't scorch the spirits of anyone there. As they say in the country - "A good time was had by all."
      The Alumni Tigers
player                   2s   3s fta ftm   TP
Greg Johnson         1   0   0   0     2
Andrew Jackson     2   0   0   0     4
Debargia Cofer       3   0   0   0     6
Miles Anderson       0   0   2   2     2
Franchot Brown     8   0   0   0   16
Poncho Lee           1   0   0   0     2
Denorio Quinn       5   0   2   0   10
Chris Graves         7   2   1   0   20
Tyrekus Bowman   7   2   4   4   24
Lazarus Chennault1   1   0   0     5
Jamaal Binns         1   0   0   0     2
Scott Checki           4   0   2   2   10
  TOTALS           40   5 11   8 103
    The 2006-2007 Tigers
player                   2s   3s fta ftm   TP
Khiry Tutt               3   0   3   1     7
Scottie Long           1   0   2   0     2
L.J. Stewart         10   1   6   4   27
Larry Davis             4   1   3   1   12
Kelmetrius Wylie     2   0   2   1     5
Gary Wilburn         0   3   4   1   10
Jarekus Bowman   1   2   2   0     8
P. Turman             5   0   0   0   10
R. King                 1   0   0   0     2
D. Stewart             0   3   0   0     9
  TOTALS           27 10 22   8   92