Stackhouse

Stackhouse: Greater NC Pro-Am tournament continues to draw

By Gregory Bond : Herald-Sun correspondent
The Herald-Sun
Aug 8, 2009

DURHAM -- During this troubled economy, most people would hesitate to buy expensive tickets for a sporting event.

That's what makes the second S.J.G. Greater NC Pro-Am tournament a treat for local basketball fans.

"The only thing you have to pay for is the concessions," said Jerry Stackhouse, the former North Carolina star who is the celebrity host of the tournament. "We are proud of that fact that we have some great sponsors to help us."

It was a wait-and-see approach on how successful the tournament would be a year ago when it debuted. Afterwards, Stackhouse and the rest of the committee decided to bring it back.

"We had a great turnout last year," Stackhouse said. "I think the community responded to it well, so we decided to keep it going."

Past, present and future stars drew fans to N.C. Central's McLendon-McDougald Gym on Friday.

"It's a who's who," Stackhouse said. "We got some college players and a bunch of pro players. We have college players all over the local area from [North] Carolina, Duke, N.C. State, St. Augustine's and N.C. Central.

"The best of the best is playing here, and we are proud of that. We aren't taking anything else from any of the leagues around here. More power to them, but we feel that we got the best talent and the best thing going right now."

And the fans weren't disappointed. Kentucky recruit John Wall of Raleigh Word of God led Team Navy with 19 points to hold off Stackhouse's team Starkey 71-67 in the first round. Reggie Bullock, who verbally committed to UNC, led Starkey with 19 points.

Former Texas star P.J. Tucker posted 23 points to lead Team P.J. Tucker to an 86-72 win over Team Hendrick. East Carolina alum Derrick Wiley scored 25 points for Team Hendrick.

Donyell Bryant, Commissioner of the N.C. Pro-AM league, said more people wanted to participate after the success of the 2008 season.

Even though the tournament is single-elimination, the winning team can pick one player from the losing squad which "keeps the competition level high as the tournament goes up," Bryant said.

But all have one common goal on Sunday -- the tournament championship.

"Right now, everybody's excited now because it's win or go home," Stackhouse said. "The season is over. If you win, you move forward. It is bragging rights until next year for whoever wins the championship. We like to make it fun for the pros who people wanted to see."

Today's semifinals start at 3 p.m. and approximately 4:30 p.m.