Clash of the Titans: T.C. Hoops Legends Return July 20
Event moved from its original date due to gym floor issue
Alexandria, VA – Get ready, Alexandria! A momentous sporting event is near and will be held right in your neighborhood. A new date has been announced for the T.C. Williams Alumni Basketball Classic: Saturday, July 20 at T.C. Williams High School.
Last week T.C.’s gym floor sustained damage from a leak, according to event organizer Javonta Campbell. The problem caused the postponement of the Classic.
“[We] were hoping repairs could be done in time for [June 22], but it’s going to take a few weeks,” he told the Zebra.
Still, there is much anticipation.
“I wouldn’t miss this event for [anything] in the world,” said Eric Shorts, a standout on the ’96–’97 team. “I would give my left arm to be able to run the court with my T.C. Titans! Those are my brothers forever.”
Organized by Campbell – a member of the state champion Titans in 2008 – and Michael Johnson, who oversees program development for the City’s Recreation/Community Outreach Department, the Classic will bring together three decades of Titans stars in three full-court, five-on-five games.
“[The Classic is] a way to give back to the community, bring people together, and honor the legacy and tradition of T.C. Williams and being a T.C. Williams athlete,” Campbell said.
Justin Moore, a starting guard on the squad that won the Patriot District in ’98, is helping alumni to get in playing shape.
“A good month will help,” he said.
Keeping Tradition Alive
James Parker, T.C.’s new athletic director, has been a huge supporter of the event, said Campbell. A big basketball fan and believer in tradition, Parker echoed Campbell’s sentiment of the desire to keep tradition alive.
“Tradition is a big part of [the Classic],” Parker said. “It’s about making sure that current players are keeping with tradition or finding out why tradition was broken.”
Campbell, who has organized similar events, is focusing the event on recognizable players with varsity experience. He admitted that it was difficult initially to get players to sign up, but found that enough interest was generated once he released a promotional flier for the event.
Players planning to appear include Moore, Jason Ingram, and Ed Jenkins. At press time, coaches have not been announced and are likely remain a surprise, but attendees can expect names that have a special place in the history of the program.
Referees will be on hand and follow regulation rules to call each contest, which will be divided into twenty-minute halves, allowing for some serious competition.
The teams will consist of ten-player rosters made up of the best athletes from Boys teams of the past. Game 1 will feature the class of ’84–’88 versus the Class of ’89–’93. Game 2 will pit the class of ’94–’98 against the class of ’99 –’03. Game 3, billed as the main event, will match the class of ’04–’07 against the class of ’08–’11.
A full house is expected. Graduates will be able to reunite with one another and may see teachers they haven’t talked with in years.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. with tip-off of the first game at 2 p.m. General admission is $10. Kids 12 and under can watch for $3. Proceeds will go to the T.C. Basketball program, T.C.’s Boosters, and the Parent Advisory Board at the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center.
See you at the Garden on July 20!
