A year ago, hundreds of people fans packed into the Milford High School gym to watch some of the Buccaneers’ best basketball players of the last 30 years face off in an all-star game. The event was a hit, with great action, a big crowd and a classic game, capped off with a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot.
Next month, get ready for round two. The second MHS Alumni Basketball Game is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26.
“It really was to a big hit last year,” said Glen Stevenson, athletic director for the Milford School District. Of course, with these kind of things, the trick is to get people to keep coming back, year after year. As long as people want it to continue, we’ll be glad to keep holding it.”
MHS alumnus David Brinkley, who organized and played in the first game, said he was “amazed” at how well it went.
“It shocked me,” Brinkley said. “I didn’t know the turnout was going to be like that. I was nervous about if there was going to be a good turnout at all, and it just blew me away.”
After the success of that first game, he said, there was no question that he’d try to put on a second. Brinkley said he hopes to keep putting on a game every year.
“Last year I got approved in early November, while this year I just got approved in January,” he said. “So I’m working on it every day for two months. There’s a lot to take care of to make sure that everything runs as smooth as it did last year.”
Only three players are set to return from last year’s teams — Julius Mullen, 2009 MVP Jack Wiser and Adie Gibbs, who sank the game-winning shot as time expired.
“I want to give everyone a chance,” Brinkley said. “I’m not playing this year either — I think I’m retired.”
Rosters will be announced next week, Brinkley said, but there are still about six slots open. Any former Bucs who are interested in playing should email him at pevonbrinkley@hotmail.com.
Last year’s game followed an exhibition by Milford Parks & Rec’s youth basketball players. This year, the extra entertainment will come after the game, in a catered dinner from MHS graduate Bobby Drummond, one of the players on this year’s roster.
“The event is more like a dinner social,” Drummond said. “We’ll have the food there, some games, and probably some music to set the whole atmosphere. We’re just trying to do something to bring together the alumni, if we can, on an annual basis. It’s something a bit different from the usual reunions.”
Milford, Del. —
