"Project 26" brings area's finest hoopsters together
FLINT -- At least until the chilly nights of winter roll back around, Saginaw has bragging right over rival Flint on the high school hardwood.
For the second straight year, the "Project 26" initiative brought the finest graduated seniors back together on the basketball court for one last go-around before they embark on their respective college careers. On the girls' side, Saginaw pulled away in the second half for a 75-61 win, as the Saginaw boys then followed suit with a 120-109 victory to cap off the sweep.
"Project 26" is a foundation designed to stress the importance of a high school education for today's youth, and aimed at combating the alarming statistic of a student dropping out of school every 26 seconds in America. That important message was certainly not lost on the players and coaches who participated in Saturday's event.
"It's important to get an education, not just play basketball," said former New Lothrop star Amber Sammons. "You've gotta have both to get anywhere, really. So, education is definitely important."
"It was fun. It was worth coming down here, playing with the team," added Saginaw High's Shanequa Braggs. "Coming with players that I never played with, and just getting back together. It was really my last time playing with people I played in high school with. So it was fun coming down here to play."
Though the Flint boys' squad came up short, they had no shortage of star power within their coaching ranks. Former Michigan State Spartans Antonio Smith and Marquise Gray led the Flint squad, and both were more than happy to contribute to what they feel is a very important cause.
"Project 26 is just to promote the people doing well in school, not only athletics," said Smith. "Every 26 seconds, a person is dropping out of school, and we'd like to decrease that rate."
"Antonio is a guy that's doing a lot in the community, and I said anytime I can help, I'm there," added Gray. "He called me and said, would I come be an assistant coach? And you know, I'd do anything for that guy. So, hands down, no question, I got up here as soon as I could."
