2nd Annual Hooping for Success charity basketball

ALLEN A. BUCHANAN, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — Professional football and basketball players gathered in the Lakewood High School cafeteria to fuel up for bragging rights prior to the  1st Downs 4 Life™ charity basketball game last Fri., July 11 in the school’s gymnasium.

NFL players Keith Kelsey, Jonte Green, Jamar Newsome, Josh Bellamy, CFL player Ricardo Colclough and former Seminole Marcello Church were the early arrivals to greet fans before an exciting game that almost went into overtime with less than a minute left on the clock.

After the Lakewood High School football team entered the auditorium, the evening festivities began. Lakewood football coaches and the entire team gave a special award to Louis Murphy, Jr. for his donation of Level #5 football helmets for every team member. Level #5 helmets are the best headgear for reducing concussions on the football field.

Other celebrity players included Louis Murphy, Jr.  (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Marreese Speights (Golden State Warriors), Jamar Newsome (Dallas Cowboys), BJ Daniels (Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl Champs), Dominic Rodgers Cromartie (New York Giants) Charles James (New York Giants), Mike Pouncey (Miami Dolphins), Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Jacoby Ford (NY Jets).

Proceeds from the charity game will go towards Mt. Zion Human Services programs. If anyone is interested in making a donation, they can send an email to clmurphy322@gmail.com.