They’re back.
After several years off due to the pandemic, a staple of spring — the East-West Alumni Basketball Game — returns to Ernie Kivisto Gym with a 6 p.m. tipoff Friday at East Aurora.
Billed as the 25th anniversary celebration of the charity game introduced in 1997, united by a great cause, it will feature teams made up of former players from the crosstown rivals.
Once again, all proceeds go to the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center, a nonprofit serving the city.
Things haven’t missed a beat.
Gamesmanship between the teams’ coaches, 1984 West Aurora graduate Kenny Battle and 1982 East Aurora graduate Wendell Jeffries, has begun — and is already in rare form.
“Our guys are looking forward to it,” said Battle, who starred at Northern Illinois and Illinois before moving on to the NBA. “East Aurora has probably been practicing two to three weeks already.
“Of course, they need it.”
Jeffries, who coached East Aurora from 2001 to 2017, downplayed his role and the team’s preparation.
“I give ‘em the ball and clear out of the way, same way I coached Ryan Boatright,” Jeffries said of the eventual NCAA champion. “I tell ‘em, ‘If we pass it to you, shoot. If not, just wait.’”
It’s all good fun, but both Battle and Jeffries agree the players who participate still take the competition seriously.
The roster for the visiting Blackhawks will include Derik Hollyfield (’01), Markus Cocroft (’09), Tyrone Carey (’10), T.J. Marion (’06), Tommy Goulding (’11), Randy Stewart (’87) and Roland Griffin (’15).
The roster for the Tomcats will include Catrell Green (’00), Tyrone Evans (’05), Justin Tiner (’07), Jermaine Taylor (’08), Jonathan Villezcas (’14), Jordan Malone (’18) and Terry Jeffries (’04).
Angela Richardson, a 1988 East Aurora graduate who came up with the idea for the event, has returned to organize it.
She was in her mid-20s when was trying to think of something she could do for her community. At the suggestion of community leader Warren Cannon, Richardson pitched the idea to Charles Ponguinette, then superintendent of East Aurora schools, who liked it and encouraged her.
Jeffries, an assistant coach in the basketball program at the time, jumped on board and coached the East Aurora team that first year. Waubonsee Community College coach Dave Heiss, a West Aurora graduate, coached the first team for the Blackhawks that featured Battle as a player.
It reportedly drew about 1,800 fans that first year, steadily dropping off over the years but still serving an important role in the community and for the Wilkinson Center’s fundraising efforts.
Over the years, other West coaches have included Matt Hicks and Randy Norman. East coaches have included Thomas Wyatt, Tom Boatright and Archie Hubbard.
The event will include two 3-point shootouts for female competitors from earlier and current eras.
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Former cheer and pom squad members representing both schools will also take part and 2013 West graduate Marquis Wells will sing the national anthem.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door for adults, $8 advance and $10 at the door for students, and can be purchased at the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center, 1144 East Galena Blvd., at Sophisticated You Hair Salon, 57 S. Broadway or online at: https://events.bam.fan/catapult/event/3665.
The oldest rostered player for the event will be Curtis Pryor, a 1983 West Aurora graduate.
“He’s probably the same weight as when he graduated,” Battle said of the shooting guard. “He told me to use him as needed, but he’d rather sit.”
Battle wonders, however.
“I think he’s gonna get the twitch — he’s just a basketball junkie,” Battle said. “When he steps out there and the crowd is going, he may think differently. He still looks good to go.
“This event is great for Aurora.”
