Looking Back....Basketball Days

It seems so strange now to think how important Basketball was too me at one time. Now other than watching some college basketball on TV, I have no involvement in the game anymore. But 7 plus years ago Basketball was all I did or wanted to do. It all started in those 4th-6th grade yeas playing Biddy League. I loved Basketball and would play the game all the time...I even after watching Pistol Pete Movie would start going outside as a young kid and shooting in the rain. I remember nights when I felt I just had to play so I would throw on the outside light that barely lit the driveway up but it didn't matter I would shoot..shoot..shoot away.

In the summer's I would live in Basketball camps like Greg White's, Donnie Jones, Jayson Gee, Sports City U, and even Five Star Basketball camp one summer. My family contacted Donnie Jones while I was still in grade school and he would drive from Huntington to give me private lessons in the Beale School gym. The game came easily to me but I worked from a young age to help reach my full potential.

7th through 9th grade was all about learning and improving. The high school year's were where I really matured basketball wise. I was starting and leading the team as a sophomore and with the added strength I went from a strictly drive to the hoop guard to someone that looked for my jump shot at any opening. I finished high school scoring over a 1,000 points to become only the 3rd person in the school's history to do it. One of my biggest highlights came in a AAU out of season tournament though when I had back to back 55 point games against Beckley and Parkersburg two of the state's best teams. The wide open play of AAU really let me shine big time. The only negative through those high school basketball years were never being on a winning team.

My dream had always been to play college basketball. But I was finally starting to see my size was really going to limit my game at the next level. I had offers to play at some solid D1 programs including Winthrop, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, Liberty and even a Walk-On spot to go to Iowa. But I chose to come to Marshall, my childhood dream school, when the opportunity to play Basketball and Run XC/Track was presented. I was an "Invited Walk-On" for 1 year for the basketball team which was a awesome experience. Was able to say I was a teammate with a future NBA player Tamar Slay and even appeared in 5 games scoring 3 points on my first appearance and shot. I still have that national Fox Sports televised game on tape in which my 3 actual got a replay as the play by play guy went crazy with how happy my reaction was to making the first career college points.

I stepped away from the game after that season at Marshall to start focusing only on running. Today the game is completely gone for me which I found out trying to play some pick up games a few years later but Basketball was a big part of my life growing up and I'm glad it was!


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So I was looking on Google today trying to see if I could find anything from my 2000-2001 season on the Marshall Basketball team and I did.

"I told them that the chain can't do its job unless each link is properly in place," (Cornelius) Jackson said. "In order for us to achieve our goal, every player must link together. From the Jason Pyles to the Tamar Slays, we all need to do our job."
http://www.marshall.edu/parthenon/archives/20010222/sports/united.htm

So do you think Cornelius was considering me the best player or the worse player with the comparison to Tamar(future NBA player)

Also more importantly found the ESPN post game recap article of the one game I scored in with box score: http://espn.go.com/ncb/2001/20001216/recap/waymah.html

Race Results

List of races/results:

2016
2/21-Philadelphia 5K, 16:09 (1st)

2015
9/27-Forest Festival 10K, 34:44 (1st Place)
9/5- Charleston Distance Run, 1:30:25 (2nd Place)
8/1- Snowshoe Trail Race, 14:04 (1st Place/CR)
7/18-Durbin Days 5K, 16:08 (1st Place)
7/4- Regatta River Run 5K, 16:23 (1st Place)
6/29- The Greenbrier Classic 10K, 37:11 (1st Place/CR)
4/25- Allegheny Highlands Trail Half Marathon, 1:16:35 (1st Place/CR)
3/22- Shamrock Half Marathon (Virginia Beach), 1:12:30
1/17- Sandman Extreme Half Marathon, 1:23:35 (1st Place)

2014 (Running Totals Review) 
11/29- Green Bank Turkey Trot, 16:10 (1st Place/CR)
11/15- Canary in the Cave Trail 25K+, 2:08:28 (5th Place)
10/12- Run for the Hills Trail Half Marathon, 1:22:30 (1st Place/CR)
10/11- Sticks and Stones Trail 15K, 60:53 (1st Place/CR)
9/14- Helvetia Mountain Trail Run, 36:55 (1st Place)
8/30- CDR 15-Miler, 1:30:52 (2nd Place/$450)
8/2- Linwood Trail Race, 32:34 (1st Place/CR)
7/13- Seashore Trail Half Marathon, 1:30:43 (3rd Place)
6/22- Eastern Divide Trail 50K, 4:29:10 (2nd Place)
6/14- Elkins 7K (4.39), 23:21 (1st Place/CR/$200)
5/17- Dirty Dog Trail 15K, 64:09 (1st Place)
3/16- Wrightsville Beach Marathon, 2:39:31 (2nd Place/$300)

2013 (Running Totals Review) 
8/3- Quarter Marathon, 35:41 (1st Place/CR)
6/22- Run for Your Life 5 Miler, 28:11 (1st Place/$50)
6/15- Oceana 5K, 16:19 (1st Place/$250)
5/11- Poca River 15K, 52:49 (1st Place)

5/5- Mullens 5K (long course), 16:06 (1st Place/$250)

5/4- Susan Komen 5K, 15:57 (1st Place)
4/21- Earth Day 10K, 33:40 (1st Place/CR/$200)

4/21- Earth Day 5K(long course), 17:15 (1st Place/CR/$100)

4/15- Athens Half Marathon, 1:14:35 (2nd Place/$150)

1/6- Winter Series 8K, 25:48 (3rd Place)

2012 (Running Totals Review) 
12/9- Winter Series 5K, 5:42 (2nd Place)
11/22- Drumstick Dash 5K, 15:52 (1st Place/CR)
11/17- Nick Caldwell 5K, 16:03 (2nd Place)
10/21- Columbus Marathon, 2:34:10 (13th Place)
10/15-  Twin Falls 5K, 16:02 (1st Place/$250)
9/22-Wine Cellar 10K, 32:50 (1st Place)
9/1- CDR--1:27:43, (5th Place/$250)
8/26- Pineville 5K, 16:22 (1st Place/$250)
8/18- Racing Hearts 5K(short course), 13:55 (1st Place/CR/$100)
8/11- Glade Springs 10K, 33:01 (1st Place/CR/$200)
7/7- Oceana 5K, 16:20 (1st Place/$250)
6/2- Reds 10K(Long Course), 33:23 (3rd Place)
5/20- Mullens 5K, 16:08 (1st Place/$250)
5/12- Poca River 15K, 50:13 (1st Place)
5/5- Susan Komen 5K, 16:15 (3rd Place)
4/1- Joker 4-Miler, 21:54 (1st Place)
3/30- Run for Adam 3-Miler(short course), 14:33 (1st Place/CR/$200)
3/10- Arts in Action 5K, 16:22 (1st Place/CR)
2/18- Myrtle Beach Marathon, 2:30:49 (2nd Place)
2/5- Tallman WS 10K, 32:20 (2nd Place)
1/8- Tallman WS 8K, 26:04 (1st Place)

2011 (Running Totals Review )
12/11- Tallman WS 5K, 15:29 (1st Place/CR)

12/10- Off-Road Trail 5K, 18:50 (2nd Place)

12/3- Jingle Bell 5K, 15:29 (1st Place/CR)

11/19- Nick Caldwell 5K, 15:42 (1st Place/CR)

10/22- Teays Spooktacular 5K, 15:27 (1st Place/CR/$75+Free Massage

10/16- Columbus Half Marathon, 1:10.08 (12th Place)

10/9- Twin Falls 5K, 15:46 (1st Place/CR/$500)

9/4- Pineville 5K, 17:31 (1st Place/$250)

9/3- CDR --1:26.57 (5th Place/$350)

8/20- Parkersburg Half Marathon, 1:12.30 (11th Place/$290)

7/31- San Fran Half Marathon, 1:14.17

7/9- Oceana 5K (3miles), 15:08 (1st Place/CR/$300)

6/25- WV 5K Champs, 15:39 (5th Place/$50)

6/18- Clarksburg 10K(WV State Champs), 33:46 (8th Place/2nd WV/$500)

6/11- Varmint Half Marathon, 1:18.45 (1st Place/$300)

5/15- Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, 2:31.59 (3rd Place/$300)

5/1- Mullens Dogwood 5K, 15:47 (1st Place/CR/$300)

4/10- OBX Flying Pirate Half Marathon, 1:11.15 (2nd Place/$150)

3/26- Joker Run 4-Miler, 20:12 (1st Place/CR)
2/19- Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, 1:10.38 (2nd Place)
2/6- Tallman Winter Series 10K, 32:07 (1st Place)

2010 (Running Totals Review) 
10/10, Twin Falls 5k, 15:41 (1st Place/CR/$450)
10/2, Beckley 5K, 16:13(long course), (1st Place/$100)
9/18, Wine Cellar 10K, 32:09 (1st Place)
9/5, Pineville 5K--15:57 (1st Place/CR/$300)
9/4, Charleston Distance Run 15miler, 1:25.44 (1st Place)
8/14, Chief Logan Park 5K-15:59 (1st Place/$200)
8/7, Thomas Memorial Cruise 5K, 15:21 (1st Place)
7/24, Corporate Cup 5K, 15:48 (1st Place)
7/10, Oceana 5K, 15:49 (1st Place/CR/$300)
7/2, Independence Blvd 5K, 15:42 1st Place/CR)
6/19, WV 5K Championship, 15:35 (6th Place/ $50)
6/12, Run with a Cop 5K, 16:15 (1st Place/CR)
6/5, Beat Beethoven 5K, 15:53 (2nd Place/$50 )
5/14, Sundown Showdown 2miler, 10:02 (1st Place/CR)
4/19, Boston Marathon, 2:35:10
3/27, Joker 4miler, 20:20 (1st Place/CR)
3/20, Shamrock Half Marathon, 1:10.34 (13th Place)
2/28, Huntington WS 5miler, 25:49 (1st Place/CR)
1/31, ING Miami(Fla) Half Marathon, 1:12.39 (8th Place)

2009
10/18, Columbus Marathon, 2:29.34 (6th Place)
10/11, Twin Falls 5K, 15:40 (1st Place/CR/$450)
9/6, Pineville 5k, 16:15 (1st Place/CR/$300)
9/5, CDR 15miler,  1:22.23 (8th Place/$250)
8/22, Parkersburg Half, 1:14.58 (15th Place/WV Champ/$250)
7/11, Oceana 5k, 15:50 (1st Place/CR/$300)
6/1, Huntington 5K, 15:32 (6th Place/$50)
5/3, Eugene Half Marathon, 1:11.48 (2nd Place)
3/38, Adam Johnson 3mile Run, 15:09 (1st Place/CR/$100)
3/21, Shamrock 8K, 25:09 (19th Place)
1/25, 3M Half Marathon Austin, 1:07.48 (14th Place) 

2008

11/22, Run for Leah 5K Point Pleasant, 15:20 (1st Place/CR/$50)

9/15, Mizuno 15miler Columbus), 1:24.56 (1st Place/CR)
8/30, CDR 15miler, 1:25.47 (4th Place/$450)
8/23, Crew Cummunity 5K- 15:08 (1st Place/$100)
8/16, Parkersburg Half Marathon, 1:09.53 (14th Place/WV Champ/$300)
8/9, Logan 5K, 15:46 (1st Place/CR/$100)
7/11, Oceana 5K, 15:58, (1st Place/CR/$250)

7/4, Summer Motion 10K, 33:18 (1st Place)
5/4, Mullens 5k Dogwood Hertiage Series, 16:38 (1st Place/CR/$250)

2007

11/10, Richmond 8K, 24:34
11/4, Mashall Half Marathon, 1:09.32 (1st Place/CR)

10/20, Huntington 5 Mile Challenge, 26:17 (1st Place/CR/$250)
10/13, Octoberfest 5K, 16:52 (1st Place/$100)

7/7, Regatta 5K-16:05, (1st Place/CR/Wedding Day)

7/4, Ripley 2miler-9:35, (2nd Place/$150)
6/30, Summer Motion 10K, 32:09 (1st Place)
6/9, Run by River 10K-31:53 (1st Place/CR)

6/??, Reds 5K-15:15 (1st Place/Get to throw out 1st Pitch at Reds Game)
5/5, Susan Komen 5K-15:32 (1st Place)

Outdoor Track
EKU 5K (15:32)
Duke 5K (15:23)


2006
10/22, Chicago Marathon, 2:31.32
10/7, Run for Sight 5K, 16:20 (1st Place/CR)
9/2, CDR 15miler, 1:23.31 (1st WV/$500)
8/5, Christ Temple 5K, (1st Place/$250)
7/29, Bun Run 5K, 15:17 (1st Place)
7/15, Virginia Beach XC 5K-17:29 (1st Place/$100)
7/8, Regatta 5K, 13:32(short) (1st Place/CR)
7/4, Ripley 2miler, 9:30 (1st Place/$100)
7/1, Summer Motion 10K, 33:41 (1st Place)
4/8, Huntington Half, 1:12.29 (2nd Place/$150)

Outdoor Track
UNC Charlotte 5K, 15:34
OSU 3K, 9:01

2005 *Lot's of unlisted College XC Results from 2005 back to 2000 from MU
4/19, Huntington Half, 1:10.48 (1st Place/CR/$350)
5/7, CU 10miler, 52:48 (1st Place/-$150)
5/14, Herd Hoops 5k, 15:55 (1st Place)

7/2, Summer Motion 10K, 33:14 (1st Place)
7/4, Ripley 2miler, 9:48 (2nd Place/$150)

8/13, Christ Temple 5K, 16:37 (1st Place/CR/$300)

9/3, CDR 15miler, 1:23.48 (9th Place/$200)

9/17, Chilifest 5miler, 26:38 (2nd Place/ $150)

2004
5/1, CU 10miler, 53:18 (1st Place/$150)
5/15, Herd Hoops 5K, 15:4 (1st Place/CR)
7/3, Summer Motion 10k, 33:50 (2nd Place)
9/4, CDR 5K, 16:23 (1st Place)
10/19, Octoberfest 5K, 15:33 (1st Place/CR)
10/23, Alum 5K, 15:32 (1st Place)

Track
Carlos Akers(Open Mile) 4:27 (2nd Place)

2003 *not a single road race
Indoor Track
UK 4:27(mile) and 8:57(3K)
Butler 4:26(Mile) OSU 4:30(mile)
Kent 15:57(5K with food poisoning, still 9:34 at 2miles)
VT 4:26(mile) and 8:58(3k)
OSU 4:26(mile)
Conference 8:55(3k)

2002
Richmond 5K, 15:57
Ohio 5K, 15:58
7/6, Riverfest 5K, 15:58 (1st Place)
8/10, Run to the Store 5K, 15:42 (2nd Place)
10/19, Alum 5K, 15:42 (2nd Place)
11/30, Keep Your Fork 5K, 16:50 (1st Place/CR)

2001
6/23, Point 5k, 16:07 (3rd Place)
5/19, Roccos 5miler, 27:35 (3rd Place)

2000 (This was the summer before going to Marshall University on a Track & Field Scholarship. I had never trained or ran Cross Country before this summer but was a 4:25 high school miler that played basketball year around and finished 3rd in the state meet to get attention from quite a few colleges since they saw untapped talent in their words)
Putnam County 10K, 35:50, (3rd Place)
KSF 5K, 16:55 (4th Place)
Dam Race 5K, 17:10 (3rd Place)
Thomas Memorial 5miler, 29:05 (6th Place)