10th Annual Bob Haggard "Wildcat" Alumni Basketball Game Showcases Former Wildcats

The 10th annual Bob Haggard “WILDCAT” Alumni Game was a huge success. Sunday, February 2, was the date chosen for this year’s game, and the day began with the Lady Cat Alumni facing off against each other. The teams were selected by sisters Jordan Risner Butler and Kelsey Risner Mercer and were very evenly matched as the gray team held a 18-13 halftime advantage, but the black team erupted for 29 second-half points to take the victory, 42-35. Kelley Baugus led the winning black team with 13 points (2 threes), while Amy McDonald and Jordan Risner Butler pumped in 9 and 8 respectively. Jamie Lauren Hickman tossed in 6 points (1 three), Lauren Prater popped in 4, and Brandi Pulley Brewer scored a bucket. Kelsey Risner Mercer led the gray team with 15 points (1 three), followed by Kelli Griggs Kelly with 9 points (2 threes). Cambree Camfield swished the nets with 7 points (1 three). Scoring one basket each were Anna Beth Haggard and Michaela Gallian. Also playing for the gray team with several assists and rebounds were Cessaley Gipson Davis and Hayley Inman.

The boys’ game saw lots of threes launched by both teams. After the gray team led 19-14 at the half, the black team stormed back to take a solid lead with 2 minutes to go, but the gray team would not quit. Inbounding the ball under their own basket with 2.8 seconds left and trailing by one, Owen Risner boarded a shot and put it back in as the buzzer sounded to give his team the 44-43 come-from-behind victory. Owen Risner of the gray team led all scorers as he burned the nets up for 25 points (2 threes) including 5 in a 3-second span to cement a successful comeback by his team. Other scoring for the gray team included Jeremy Risner with 5 (1 three), Jeremy Butler and Sawyer Ray with a 3-pointer each, Keeton Kelly with 3, Chase Camfield and Clay Baugus with a deuce each. Will Mosley stripped one free throw for the gray team. The black team was led by Brayden Johnson with 16 points (2 threes), followed by Ethan Camfield with 10 points (2 threes). Chipping in 6 and 5 points respectively were Preston Stegall (2 threes) and Tyler Moser. Landyn Prater (1 three) and Cordel Littrell each contributed 3 points. Getting several rebounds for their team were Brady Berlin and Brandon Mosley.

Between games, Anna Beth Haggard spoke for a few minutes about the man being remembered on this day, Mr. Bob Haggard. She also expressed her gratitude to all the players, fans, volunteers, business/individual sponsors for making this event so successful. Proceeds from the alumni game will fund a scholarship in memory of Bob, the Bob Haggard Character and Service Scholarship. The scholarship is worth $5000 over a four-year period and will be awarded annually to a WCHS senior. The scholarship is sponsored by the WCHS Interact Club, a student community service organization co-founded by Bob in 2007. Thanks to some generous donations and all those who participated, attended, and volunteered at the game, the Interact Club was able to raise much of the money required to pay next year’s portion of the scholarship for the four recipients who will be in college next year. If you would still like to purchase a shirt or make a donation, please contact WCHS Counselor/Interact Sponsor Jerilyn Ashmore. If you didn’t get to participate or attend this year’s event, we would love to have you for the next game!