For what is likely to be the final time in their prep basketball careers, Kinston’s Josh Dawson and Denzel Keyes will be on the court together this weekend wearing the same uniform.
The dynamic duo — who led the Vikings to their second consecutive NCHSAA 2A boys basketball championship two weeks ago — will be representing Kinston High School and Lenoir County in Saturday’s Southeast Elite 24 Classic at Wilmington New Hanover’s historic Brogden Hall. The venerable facility, which seats more than 3,000 fans, will be host to an event that organizer Adrian Robinson hopes will raise money and awareness for heart disease.
It’s a cause that is near and dear to Robinson’s heart; his mother has been battling heart disease for the past two years. All money raised after paying the bills will go to the American Heart Association, Robinson said.
“I felt like there was no better cause to dedicate this (event) to than beating heart disease and raising awareness of it,” he said. “I wanted to host an event where kids aren’t just out here throwing up dunks, but playing for a reason and for something bigger than themselves.”
It’s the second year in a row Robinson has held the event.
“A lot of kids in the Cape Fear region and around here weren’t getting a lot of opportunities to play in all-star games,” Robinson said of his reasons for starting the event. “I knew they’d want another chance to play and to play with guys from within their own conferences and region instead of just against each other.”
Saturday’s event will also mark the last time Kinston girls star Monique Lofton will play for head coach Hubert Quinerly in her prep career. Quinerly and Lofton led the Vikings to the school’s first girls state championship two weeks ago.
“I’m excited I get another chance to coach Monique,” Quinerly said. “It’s for a great cause and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Twenty boys from around Eastern North Carolina have been split into two teams. Dawson and Keyes will play on a squad which includes Jacksonville Northside’s Jamal Parker; West Craven’s Joshua Cuthbertson and Demetres Abrams; and New Hanover’s Trevon Brown, Logan Chaucer and Nigel Holley.
Over the past two seasons, Dawson and Keyes teamed up for dozens of alley oops and jaw-dropping plays as teammates. Both said to expect more of the same in Saturday’s game.
“You’re going to see some good action from us Saturday,” Dawson said with a laugh.
Keyes estimated there’d be “at least three” slams on passes from Dawson.
“We’ve had such a good connection through the years,” Keyes said. “He’ll give me a look, I’ll give him the look back, he throws it up there and I’ll go get it.
Like the boys, 20 girls are split into two squads. Quinerly’s team includes Lofton, Chatori Major of Lejeune, Brittney Woodard of East Duplin, Jotionette Jones of New Bern, Kaylin Reid of Winterville South Central and Lyric Levester of Jacksonville White Oak.
“It’s a chance to be around a great group of girls who can go get it,” Quinerly said.
The Brogden Hall doors open at 12:30 p.m., with a skills challenge tipping off at 1. There will be a 3-point contest and other activities taking place before the girls game tips at around 2 p.m. A dunk contest takes place after the girls game and the boys game is scheduled to start around 4.
Although all four Kinston participants are looking forward to having a good time at Saturday’s event, they’re happy knowing they’re helping raise money for a good cause.
“It’s a blessing from God to be able to give back to people,” Keyes said. “It’s also a great opportunity to play against some good competition from around North Carolina.”
Dawson said, “You never really know what’s going on in someone’s life. But the fact I get to play basketball again with Denzel and help someone at the same time is a good feeling.”
Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at 252-559-1074 or at Bryan.Hanks@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BCHanks.
The Southeast Elite 24 Classic
What: All-star boys and girls basketball games from players throughout Eastern North Carolina
When: Saturday from 1-6 p.m.
Where: Brogden Hall on the campus of New Hanover High School, 1307 Market Street, Wilmington
Who’s in it: Kinston High School girls basketball coach Hubert Quinerly will be coaching one of the girls teams; KHS’ Josh Dawson and Denzel Keyes are playing in the boys game and KHS’ Monique Lofton is in the girls game
Admission: $8; all proceeds go to the American Heart Association
For more information: Visit the event’s page by searching ‘Southeast Elite 24 Classic’ in Facebook