On September 21, 2013 the Bay Area Local Celebrity Basketball Team made the highly anticipated trip to Grant Union High School for the first big charity game match. There was a lot of Internet talking, but finally it was game time! Team Sac got off to a great start with a 25 point lead before halftime. But Team Bay Area regrouped and made a third quarter run closing the gap to just 4 points. With a full gym of loud and wild screaming Sacramento fans, the fourth quarter was a war going back and forth, but saw Team Sac squeaking out the victory 60-52. It was a very exciting game that featured popular singer Tia Ferrera as the halftime entertainment plus the Diplomatz Dance Team. The band Ear Candy performed a one hour pre-game concert. Youth were allowed to shoot free throws during the game at certain times in place of the players.
Sacramento Kings basketball player Jason Thompson, Tommie Goss from the Gospel Express radio show, Tia Ewing from Fox40 News, Mike Mosely a legendary music producer for E-40, TQ, Tupac, C-Bo, Karen Massie former NEWS 10 reporter for 25 years, Frank Withrow poet, mentor, educator, author and motivational are just a few of the VIP section attendees who enjoyed the game.
Award-winning singer Samara Brandon sang the National Anthem, Sinporya Allen and friends danced, Shawn Raiford played the saxophone, Tony R. sang and Sacramento High School provided cheerleaders.
On September 28, 2013 Team Sac headed to Antioch for the rematch at the beautiful Antioch Community Center. Once again the Bay Team fell behind as Team Sac took an early lead of more than 20 points. But in the third quarter, with the Bay crowd getting excited, Team Bay Area made their run, but it was not enough, as Team Sac held on put up 103 points to win the game 103-94. Both games were played to benefit youth and even had free youth school enhancement workshops prior to the games. These two teams will meet again sometime in 2014 with new players, but in the meantime, look forward to the Sac Local Celebs competing against each other as in the past sometime in early 2014, most likely February or March.
TEAM SAC
1. Ruthie Bolton inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and two-time USA Olympic Basketball Gold Medalist.
2. Kingsley Ogwudire former Harlem Globetrotter and Nigerian professional basketball player.
3. Big Al Sams popular V101.1 Clear Channel radio personality.
4. Terry Moore seven-time “Best Spoken Word Poet” award winner and TV show host.
5. Pastor Alonzo Morris from Paradise Missionary Baptist Church.
6. Ericson “Cal-E” Porter has been the music engineer for the Ying Yang Twins, Kurupt and Grand Hustle Records.
7. Rae Rock is a recording and performing artist, co-headlined with Hip-Hop legend Twista, former NBA Summer Pro League player and three-time Sacramento “And 1” Hoop Team participant.
8. BT Kingsley comedian/actor BT Kingsley is fresh off his Bounce TV debut on the top rated show, “OFF THE CHAIN,” and is starring in the upcoming film, “JOKE THIEF.”
9. Brian Broadway legendary Sacramento three point shooter.
Alternates: Royal Edwards and Justin Jones.
A few names from TEAM BAY AREA
J. Holiday R & B singer/songwriter/producer who accumulating over 17 million records sold. He has written songs for likes of artist such as Tyrese “I Like Them Girls”, the title track to N’Sync’s 9x platinum Celebrity album which sold 1.8 million in the first week, Mario’s “How Could You,” and Omarion’s “I’m Tryna”.
Marcus Big-Spence Spencer actor in the “Moneyball” movie with Brad Pitt/Phillip Seymore Hoffman, “Love Ranch” movie with Joe Pecsi/Helen Merrin, “Pursuit of Happyness” movie with Will Smith.
Trestin George actor who appears in the movie “Fruitvale Station” produced by Forest Whitaker and directed by Ryan Coogler.
In Sacramento tickets were donated to 25 youth organizations including UCD Children’s Hospital (Cancer Center & Pedi), Sacramento Children’s Home, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, WEAVE, St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children, Boys & Girls Club Teen Center, Welcome Home Foster Family Agency and more! A donation will be made to the From a Boy to a Man workshop series.
The event was sponsored by Remy Moose Manley, LLP and US Bank. The Sac Cultural Hub was the media sponsor. Walmart and Mary Moore donated hundreds of school supply items.
Photos provided by January Rhayne Photography. Team photo was provided by Vapor Photography. View photo album here.
