Everything Basketball

In The Murry Family

	Rick Majerus at the Don Meyer Coaches Clinic - Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN

	Eddie Lee Wilkins, former backup center for Patrick Ewing, came to Dalton during the Summer of 1999. Eddie is big, 6'10", but his heart for young people is bigger.
	I was fortunate enough to get to work with Eddie and his staff. I volunteered to help Hubert Marsh and the Teen Resource Center of Dalton. It was a great opportunity, and one I hope to repeat for several years to come.

	Patrick Ewing came to Dalton as a favor to Eddie. Here are a couple of group pictures with the campers, and one of Ewing talking to the kids about the importance of education. Did you know that Ewing is an artist? His degree from Georgetown is in an art field. (Patrick is the 7'1" guy with the white shirt on in the middle of the pack.)

	During the 1999 basketball season, my 7th graders went undefeated. As a team trip, we went to see Georgia Tech play Morehead State. Coach Bobby Cremins and his staff were terrific. We got to go to the coaches office for pictures and autographs, then to the locker room to meet some of the players.
	I liked Cremins. He made me look like I wasn't that gray headed after all. Seriously, the man was very cordial, gracious and pleasant. Of course he did sign one of Dalton's players to play for Georgia Tech next year.
	Brant got his name in the paper. He is in the lower left corner (under Middle School). The reason I put the entire article is because of the other names on the page. Brendan Plavich - signed with Georgia Tech. Bryan Rachardson - signed with University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Kent Boyd - ranked #33 as a freshman in the state of Georgia by Atlanta Prep Sports. Christin (actually Christen) Brown - Received and introductory letter from University of Georgia at the beginning of her 8th grade season. Brant, Jeremy Hamilton, and the Cooper boy mentioned in the article all have the ability to play college level ball. The thing about Brant's game was that it was the first time they beat Eastbrook. Dalton was down by 7 at half (20-13) and Brant scored his 9 points in the 4th quarter (2, 3-pointers and 3 for 4 from the freethrow line). He stole the ball from Eastbrook's best player, drove the court and was fouled by Cooper, which was Cooper's 5th foul, with about a minute left in the game. It was a two-point game at the time. Brant made both freethrows and DJHS was up by 4. It was the turning point and Eastbrook didn't score again.
	Dalton had a great year in the 1999-2000 basketball season. The 7th grade boys were undefeated. The 8th grade boys won the league championship (see, the article proves it). The Freshmen boys were undefeated. The JV boys had the best record of the region. The Varsity boys won the region championship.