Senior forward/center Willie Orange won the king of the hill dunk contest.
Basketball is more than just gameplay; it’s important to get to know the players behind the sport. On Friday, Oct. 28, both Blackburn’s men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted a “Meet The Beavers Night.” It involved a buffet dinner and competitions as well as the opportunity for the athletes to introduce themselves to the rest of the Blackburn community.
Senior guard Jake Maestranzi won the three-point contest.
Senior sports management major and student assistant coach Austin Kirby worked with men’s head basketball coach Steve Kollar to help the event run smoothly. “The goal behind this event is to give more encouragement to students and faculty to come support the teams,” he stated. Kirby also mentioned that a difference between this year’s and last year’s “Meet The Beavers Night” is the hot spot shooting competition with a twist – the winner could walk away with $10,000. Hole-In-Won, a basketball contest promotion insurance company, sponsored the prize.
Senior forward DeAndre Manuel won the dunk contest.
Junior business major and shooting guard for the women’s basketball team Carley Prince said she was excited about the event. She added, “We came to conquer this season, and we’re hungry for a championship!” She was also happy that the Blackburn community got to know her better. Prince said she’s been playing basketball since she could dribble. “What I love the most about basketball is being able to enjoy an activity I have loved since I was little,” she stated. “It’s also been a pleasure meeting interesting and talented people throughout my journey. I’m glad to compete at the collegiate level with a group of great girls.”
The goal behind this event is to give more encouragement to students and faculty to come support the teams.
Student assistant men’s basketball coach Austin Kirby.
Attendance of the event was high as one side of the bleachers was completely filled and another side was halfway full. When the players’ names were announced, the audience sounded off in support. The competitions included the hot shot without prize money, the three-point contest, the dunk contest, the king of the hill dunk contest and the hot shot with prize money.
Head men’s basketball coach Steve Kollar.
The participants included both men’s and women’s basketball team members as well as non-team members. Prince and junior Allison Howard (non-team member) won the hot shot without prize money; senior guard Jake Maestranzi won the three-point contest; senior forward DeAndre Manuel won the dunk contest and senior forward/center Willie Orange won the king of hill dunk contest. Freshman guard Ryan Kelly’s father and freshman Tara Towery’s (non-team member) father both shot for the $10,000 but didn’t win; therefore, no one left with the prize.
Although basketball can be exhilarating to watch when a college’s team is racking up points, knowing the people on the court gives the audience a reason to stay even when they aren’t winning. Meet the players and understand what it means to them when they hear the crowd roar.