Dolores High School hosted the second annual semi-celebrity charity basketball game between DHS seniors and notable locals on Thursday evening.
The event was sponsored by 93.3 KKDC DCrow and Southwest Designs, and benefited the DHS cheerleading squad, DHS Operation Graduation and paid tribute to Mike Riggs, who passed away within the last year.
I want to start by saying, we honored Mikey Riggs, a fallen comrade of mine, KKDC dj and the brainchild of this event, Ray McDonnell, said. He did the radio with me in Durango. He played last year. We honored him tonight.
Money raised for the DHS cheerleaders is to help with travel expenses on trips to regional and state competition in Grand Junction and Denver.
Money for Operation Graduation goes toward food and prizes for DHS seniors at the event. Operation Graduation is held on the DHS graduation night on Saturday, May 28, in the DHS Commons Area. It is a lock down party and students must stay the whole night to earn prizes. The purpose of Operation Graduation is to keep students in a safe environment on graduation night.
The DHS seniors basketball team was made up of Coed basketball players. They faced the semi-celebrities, which included alumni such as DHS all-time leading scorer Tanner Hamm. Other notable players were DHS basketball coaches Justin and Cory Schmitt, and Keenan Lovett, as well as mixed martial artists Isaque Sandman Martinez and Grant F Bomb Hobbs. McDonnell and fellow KKDC dj P.A. All Day Jackson also suited up.
The halftime show was by the DHS cheerleaders, and students and celebs competed in a number of other events that brought laughs and cheers to the crowd.
After halftime, Dolores senior Tyler T-wood Underwood tried to bring the fans to their feet by attempting a dunk, twice, but couldnt convert. The DHS coaches showed they still can play ball with their acrobatic shots, passes and dribble penetration. Hobbs, the smallest man on the floor, even displayed his dunking skills, with the help of his teammates lifting him up of course.
The game was tied after regulation and it went to a shooting contest to settle the score. Joel Ginger Balderamma represented the DHS seniors and Hamm shot for the semi-celebs. Balderamma and Hamm hit all their shots, so it came down to one last tiebreaker shot from half court. This time, the semi-celebs prevailed behind Justin Schmitts banker.
It was indeed a night of entertainment for everyone.
We raised money for the Dolores High School cheer squad, which went phenomenal. We raised money for Operation Graduation, which went phenomenal. Overall, we had the community out here tonight and we had a great time, McDonnell said. I cant thank the people that paid the $3 dollars at the door enough. Just a phenomenal turnout tonight. We look forward to doing it again next year.
Other sponsors were, FCB, Dirtvent, DJ Two Tone, The Dolores Sideliners, The Dolores School District, The Ponderosa Restaurant, Dolores State Bank, Fraleys and Company Gas Inc., Empire Electric, Bakers Sanitation, Keesee Motor Co., and Garcia and Company Fine Jewelers.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com