Bottom Line: Fund-raiser takes A.B. to court

I got beat, but it was for a good cause.

Last week, I took on the Greenbrier High School varsity basketball teams in a three-point shooting contest, with the objective to raise money for the Greenbrier Memorial Golf Practice Facility, which is being built in remembrance of Daniel Hall and Shane Williams.

The two members of the Wolfpack golf team were killed last April while traveling to a team match in Lincoln County.

Shane's father, Nick Williams, and Mark Weinstein have spearheaded the campaign to build the practice facility at the Brierpatch, and they have worked extremely hard to help pay for the $30,000 project.

Williams and Weinstein contacted me a few months ago, and I wanted to help in some way.

As a result, an out-of-shape, overweight, former college basketball player - that would be me - got the bright idea to stage a three-point shooting challenge against a group of youthful, athletic players in tip-top shape.

This wasn't exactly one of my best calls.

For a couple of days, folks who listened to my radio program called in to pledge money based on my performance against members of the Greenbrier basketball teams.

The Greenbrier coaching staff selected five girls and five boys to shoot 10 three-pointers apiece, while I would launch 100.

As I could have anticipated, I tired easily during the shooting showdown last Friday at the Brierpatch, but I did manage to make 39 shots.

Greenbrier, led by Tiffany Blackburn and Matthew Todd, knocked down 47 shots, which knocked me down a notch or two.

The good news was, thanks to pledges by my listeners, we managed to raise $5,000 that will help fund the golf facility.

Shane Williams and Daniel Hall were two young men who loved Greenbrier, and they loved golf. They will never be forgotten, and when the practice facility comes to fruition, area golfers for years to come will learn of their legacy.

Signing day arrives

Today is the day when the nation's top high school football players will make their college choices official - it's National Signing Day.

Some Columbia County seniors had not sealed their plans as of earlier this week, but the following players will put pen to paper today:

Alex Bragg, Lakeside - the 6-5, 215-pound tight end/defensive end will sign with Charleston Southern.

Tim Camp, Harlem - the 6-1, 200-pound running back/wide receiver is signing with the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Foster Moore, Harlem - the 6-1, 220-pound defensive end has secured a scholarship with Fort Valley State University.

Rashad Dunn, Greenbrier - the 6-4, 270-pound guard will become a member of the University of Iowa.

Also, two former Evans High School standouts will be signing today - Justin Martin (Thomson) will sign with Air Force, and Travis Clark (Lincoln County) is signing with Southern Mississippi.