"IN MY HUMBLE Sports Show" EP 3 featuring Durham native Adrian Jones for...

Legacy trounce All American Ballers

Dec. 20th 2014

Daimeon S. Banks

Bull City Legacy center DeshawnMcLean had a game-high 21pts and 5 rebounds in a 133-100 win over the All American Ballers at Walltown Recreational center on Saturday. 

Durham, N.C.  -

The Bull City Legacy jumped out to a quick 13-1 lead and never looked backed.  Center DeShawn McLean (South View HIgh School) led the way with a game-high 21 points, while pulling down 5 rebounds, en route to a 133-103 Bull City victory.  

Seven Legacy players scored in double figures: 18 points from Jerome Carr (Laurinburg Institute), Raymond McKeithen (Greenville State) 17 points and 4 rebounds, Bryan Streeter (The Citdal) 16 points, Brandon Hobbs (WSSU) 15 points, James Wooten (Fayetteville  State) 12 points, and Tim Plummer (Fayetteville State) 10 points.  

Kenneth Haywood (Fayetteville State) tied a game-high with 21 points for the All American Ballers.  Bull City built a 60-40 halftime lead, and led by as many as thirty seven points in the fourth quarter.  With the win the Legacy even their record at 2-2 in the Tobacco Road Basketball League (trblproball.com). 

IN MY HUMBLE EPISODE 1

"IN MY HUMBLE" Episode 2

Eagles tame Wildcats; NCCU throttles Johnson & Wales (NC) 101-38

Daimeon S. Banks

@sportsbydaimeon

12/2/2014

Durham, N.C. -  Head coach LeVelle Moton and his NCCU Eagles mens basketball team welcomed Johnson & Wales (NC) to McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium Tuesday night.  The Eagles have been road warriors so far this season, playing one home game to date.  

Dorthy said it best, "There's no place like home." NC Central put on a show in front of the home crowd. Senior guard Anthony McDonald came out on fire. The Aberdee, Miss. native drained four first half 3 pointers; fellow senior Jordan Parks (Queens, N.Y.) did his work in the paint, collecting several highlight reel dunks. NC Central's defense was also impressive in the opening half, taking a 42-19 lead into the lockeroom.  

It would only get worse for the visting Tigers in the 2nd half.  The combination of McDougald and Parks continued to pour it on; the duo finished with 26 and 20 points respectively.  Parks also added 7 rebounds to his tally, while senior guard Dante Holmes chipped in with 15 points, and 5 assists.  Ricky Porter's 12 points led Johnson & Wales (NC),  who fall to (4-5) on the season after the loss.  

With the win, NC Central improves to (4-3) on the season.  The Eagles open up MEAC play on the road Friday, when they face the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.   

We salute our veterans: Bull City Legacy outlast the Wilmington Seadwags in TRBL home opener

Nov. 15, 2014 

Daimeon S. Banks 

 

Raymond Mckeithen and Stewart Holley battle down low for the Bull City Legacy

DURHAM, N.C. -

The Bull City Legacy played their home opener Saturday afternoon; an event to honor veterans for their service.  The Legacy welcomed the Wilmington Seadawgs to Walltown Recreation Center for this TRBL matchup.  

Wilmington came out ready to play, as they led by as many as 7 points in the first quarter.  Two players in particular did the bulk of the scoring for the visting SeaDawgs.  Todd Mclaurin scored 26 points and Levi Humphrey led Wilmington with 29 points and 8 rebounds.   After after tightening up their defense, Bull City took a 64-55 halftime lead.  

In the second-half, Legacy forward Raymond McKeithen (Greenville State) gave the hometown crowd a great performance.  McKeithen led a group of six Legacy players in double figures with a game-high 32 points and 6 rebounds, in a 124-109 Bull City victory.  Nelson Kirksey IV (University of Missouri at Kansas City) chipped in with 17 points while Mark Jones (Fayettville State) played a strong floor game with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block.

With the win, Bull City Improves to 1-1 on the season.  The Legacy will next hit the court Dec. 14th, with a road game versus the Raleigh Revolt.  Tip-off is set for 6pm at C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium; on the campus of Shaw University.  

Cary Invasion survives overtime thriller with The Bull City Legacy 131-129

Saturday November 8th 

Cary, NC

Two familiar foes took to the court Saturday evening; the Cary Invasion played host to the Bull City Legacy on opening night in the TRBL. (Tobacco Road Basketball League). If this game was any indication of the upcoming season, then we as fans are in for a treat. 

Raymond Mckeithan made his Bull City Legacy debut, scoring 26 points, including 5 of 10 shooting from 3 point range.  This one was a back and forth affair, that saw multiple lead changes. Three of Legacy G/F Ian Gregory's team-high 29 points came in the final seconds of regulation, sending the game into overtime tied at 114.  

In the Overtime period, former Legacy, and current Invasion guard Cory Evans went to work.  Evans scored 10 of his game-high 40 points, including the game winning tip in with 3 seconds remaing, helping Cary sqeek out a 131-129 victory.  With the win, Cary starts the season 1-0, while Bull City is 0-1.  

The Legacy will next hit the court Saturday Nov. 15th versus the Wilmington SeaDawgs.  This will be the Legacy's Veterans Day game. Free admission for all veterans with ID.  Tip off is set for 4pmest at Walltown Recreation Center in Durham. 

Daimeon S. Banks 

Sports Media Director, Bull City Legacy

Sportsbydaimeon.com

The Eagles Nest

5pm,  O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, home of the NCCU Eagles.  

What a beautiful Saturday afternoon it was in Durham, NC.  I had the opportunity to cover a matchup between the home team, (NCCU) and visiting Elizabeth City State University.  These two squads were former conference foes in Division II football of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) conference, before NCCU moved to the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Confernce), in Division I.

-Head Coach Jerry Mack

First year Head Coach Jerry Mack and his Eagles took one on the chin in week one of the 2014 college football season.  The Eagles fell 52-7 to East Carolina in Greenville, NC.  Coach Mack would be leading his team onto the field at O'Kelly-Riddick for the very first time. That, lady's and gentleman, would be a site to see. 

I arrived at the stadium some two hours before kickoff.  As I make my down to the field, the aroma of various deep fried deliciousness was in the air.  Turkey wings, chicken and fish.  Yes indeed, it's game day.  But I digress.  On the field I catch up with NCCU running back's coach Adrian Jones. 

-Coach Adrian Jones

Jones is in his second coaching stint with his alma mater.  He (Jones) was also the senior quarterback at Sourhern Durham High School during my freshman year at - you guessed it - Southern Durham High School.  But again, I digress. We exchanged pleasantries before going back to out jobs at hand.  

Pre-game was a mix of special teams players preparing, with skilled position players doing the same.  

-Michael Jones/DB

The stands at O'Kelly-Riddick began to fill as kick off drew closer.  It was almost that time. This guy looks ready.  

-The Eagle

The number one mission on this Saturday afternoon; protect the "Eagles Nest."  Fast forward through (3) Eagles senior running back Andre Clarke touchdowns,

-Andre Clarke/ RB

A stingy Eagles defense, and ultimately a 34-7 NCCU win.  Congrats to Head Coach Jerry Mack on his first career win.  By the looks of NCCU's play on this Saturday afternoon, there should be many more wins to come for Coach Mack.  Congratulations Coach. 

-SportsbyDaimeon

I am SportsbyDaimeon

My older brother (Carlos) took me and my twin brother (Damon) to our first college football game many years ago.  Steve Spurrier was the head coach of Duke University; they were playing Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham NC.  I remember being so excited just to see "big dudes," as I said it, playing.  

Since then, I've had the great pleasure of attending football games all over the country. I've seen The University of Michigan play in "The Big House." I've  sat on the 50 yard line at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Carter Finley Stadium, home of the NC State Wolfpack, provides a raukus environment on any given Saturday afternoon.  

I not only fashion myself a sports professional, but a fan, who enjoys the spectacle of competition. I bore witness to just that on my recent road trip to Columbia South Carolina.  The first game ever broadcast on the SEC Network was The South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M Aggies.  I found it rather ironic that my first college game as a child was a Steve Spurrier led Duke Blue Devil team; and my first collegiate game as a member of the media was a Steve Spurrier led South Carolina Gamecocks squad.  As I took pictures of both teams going through their pre-game rituals, I noticed a familiar face.  He had no clue who I was, but I quoted him verbatim.   "The stylin, profilin, limousine ridin, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheelin n' dealin son of a gun!"

 

So now it was game time.  I heard the roar of 82,000 plus in the stands. It was deafening in Williams-Brice Stadium as the crowd anticipated the opening kickoff.  It seemed as though every person who lived in Columbia South Carolina was at the game. Texas A&M jumped out to a 10-0 lead before the Gamecocks knew what hit them. Although South Carolina provided a glimmer of hope to it's fans when WR Nic Jones hauled in a 69 yard TD pass, the game quickly got out of hand.  I roamed the sidelines taking pictures and making notes of the game to use for this very article. To me, the final score was inconsequential.  It was in that moment when I realized that I was no longer a sports fan.  I was now, officially, SportsbyDaimeon.  

In My Humble™: College Football Playoffs

In My Humble...™: NFL Impact Rookies

In My Humble™: Heat vs Cavs Who has the Better Team?

In My Humble (™): Why The U.S Doesn't Fully Embrace Fútbol

In My Humble (™): 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

In My Humble (™): Why Was Michael Sam Drafted So Late?

In My Humble: NBA Playoffs Round 1

In My Humble: Monica Pope on Kay Yow

The Future is Now

By DAIMEON BANKS

daimeon.banks@gmail.com

Durham, NC;  home of Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils. Durham, NC; made famous in the the 1988 Ron Shelton film, Bull Durham. The "Bull City" as it is locally known rests smack dab in the middle of Tobacco Road, basketball country.   Durham, NC the birthplace of the next Lightweight boxing champion of the world. Don't adjust your eye glasses.  Yes, you read that correctly. Durham, NC home of a fast rising lightweight boxer by the name of Antoine "The Future" Alston.  

Antoine's boxing story started at the tender age of 6.  While riding with his farther, the two stopped at a local gym.  It was there that Antoine first caught the boxing bug. "As a kid I always liked to fight, so my father took me to a gym" says the lightweight contender.  That initial trip to the Durham Boxing Gym would prove to be one of many for Alston.  "I played football in middle school.  I used to get out of practice and go right to the gym to train."  That work ethic paid off as Alston fought as an ametuer in The Jr. Olympics, The Southeast Regional Championships, Platinum Glove Championships, and The National Gold Gloves. Even though he wasn't devoting himself to training, Alston decided to turn professional in 2010, winning his first 4 fights. Instantly Alston found himself fighting all over the country - from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and even in Raleigh, North Carolina. Under the tutelage of Coach Derrick Reid Alston had found early success.  

There have been a few bumps in the road for the Durham native.  Unfortunately, lack of focus and bad promotional decisions, led to Alston losing 5 of his next 6 fights.  "I was fighting in the wrong weight division, taking fights for the money, and not really focused on my training. You can't play boxing" says the now 26 year old.  Perhaps a change of scenery would inject life back into a once promising boxing career. Alston made the decision to move his training to the mountain city of Big Bear Lake California. Big Bear sits 8,000 feet above sea level and it's seclusion is just what Alston needed to refocus. With the direction of Coach Abel Sanchez, and training with the likes of Gannady Golovkin, (WBA and IBO Middleweight Champion) Alston has won his last two fights improving to 6-5 overall.  His style is sure to be any crowds favorite and can best be desribed as a boxer/puncher. Says Alston, "I have had speed with power."

June 7th 2014 at 7pm, Alston will return to his hometown of Durham North Carolina to headline his first fight card.  The Durham Convention Center will serve as the venue for what is the next step in the professional boxing career of an unlikely contender.  "I just wanna be leader, provide for my family and kids. Fighting in my hometown will give me the chance to give back to my city and show the kids that if you belive in yourself, anything is possible."  For Antoine Alston, the future is now. 

In My Humble: The College Football Gameday Experience

In My Humble: Where is the Loyalty?

In My Humble March Madness Update

The Madness

Well ladies and gents, it's that time of year again. The regular season of college basketball is over and the madness known as the NCAA Tournament has officially begun.  

By now most of America's brackets have been wrecked by upsets (Duke v. Mercer), but that's precisely why we love the NCAA Tournament. It's a one and done deal. You play well, you move on - you don't play well, you go home. Wichita State University completed the first undefeated regular season since The Running Rebels of UNLV did so during the 1991 season. Awesome right? To quote the great poet Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friends."  #1 seed Wichita State's season was just ended in the second round of the tourney by the 8th seeded Kentucky Wildcats.  Oh, the madness!

Billionaire Warren Buffett issued a billion dollar - that's right - a billion dollar bracket challenge for the perfectly completed bracket.  I think it's safe so assume that Buffett will be able to hold onto that billion bucks. Roll Call:  Duke, UNC, Kansas, Ohio State, all gone fishing.  I'll pose this question.  Who among us had Stanford University or The University of Dayton making the Sweet16?  If you did, then I need those winning Powerball numbers por favor!   

There's still a long way to go, and a tons of basketball to be played until we crown this years national champion.  The Final Four will take place at "Jerry World" aka AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tx.  So until that last buzzer sounds remember; it ain't over until the sometimes skinny, sometimes fat, and now deceased man (Luther Vandross) sings! 

Oh, the madness!

In My Humble: NBA vs NCAA Basketball

The Winter Games

I like to fashion myself a fine connoisseur of all things athletic.  It doesn't matter the sport; if it's on TV, I'll most likely watch it. One of my favorite sporting events to watch has been, and still is, the Winter Olympics.  

The Winter Olympics aren't as elderly as it's summer brethren. The First winter games were held in 1924, in Chamonix Frances.  The five original sports consisted of: Bobsleding, Curling, Ice Hockey, and Nordic Skiing - (Military Patrol, Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, and Skating.) The Winter Games were held every four years from 1924-36, only to be interrupted by WWII, before returning in 1948.  Winter Olympics have been held in over eleven different countries and on three different continents.  

No I can't ski, figure skate, curl, or bobsled. What I can do: appreciate the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice of athletes who compete at the highest levels.  What higher level is there to compete, than at the Olympics? History is literalIy made at the Winter Olympics. Dick Button was the first American skater to win Olympic gold in 48' and 52'. Peggy Fleming overcame the death of her coach (Bill Kipp) in a plane crash, to win gold in Brussels at the 61' games. 

America's Dorothy Hamill brought home the gold medal in women's figure skating during the 76' games in Innsbrook Austria. The "Miracle on Ice" saw the 1980 US men's hockey team knockoff the vaunted Soviet's, en route to the gold medal.  In the 92' games,  Toni Nieminen of Finland, became the youngest Winter Olympic gold medalist at age 16.  

I remember sitting in front of the television cheering on Italy's Alberto Tomba as he raced down a snowy hill; ultimately winning the Men's Giant Slolam during the 88' games in Calgary.  I sat in amazement watching the excellence of the Ukraine's Oksana Baiul, who won ladies singles gold in Lillehammer Norway in 94'.  I was astounded by the unbelievable courage of Austrian downhiller Herman Maier.  Maier survived an early crash, then went on to win gold in the Super G and Giant Slolam, during the 98' games.  I marveled at the beauty and grace of the 92' gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi's performance in the ladies single figure skating compitetion.   

Underdog stories at the Winter Olympics become legendary.  The Jamaican bobsled team became famous during the 88' games. The Jamaicans were the first team from a tropical nation to compete at the winter games. American speed skater Shani Davis became the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal (1000m) in 06' in Turin Italy; and again winning in 2010 at the Vancouver games. 

 I reiterate, history is made during the Olympics.  

I must admit that I watch the Winter Olympics as I do the summer games; with my heart firmly invested in the American athletes that are competing.  The list of great American Olympians include:  Dan Jansen, Brian Boitano, Picabo Street, Lindsay Vonn, Shaun White, Bonnie Blair, Eric Heiden, Scott Hamilton, and Michelle Kwan; just to name several. When an American medals in an event, it brings me a sense of national pride. What can I say but; USA USA USA! 

The  closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia has me a bit melancholy. I have to wait four more years to witness history.  Until then, athletes will train and sacrifice for the chance to represent countries at the next winter games; in PyeonChang South Korea.  No I can't ski, skate, or bobsled.  What I can do is patiently wait for the next group of Winter Olympians to live vicariously through. Until then, I'll leave you with this quote.  

“Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of finally achieving your goals.

These are all lessons in life.”

–Kristi Yamaguchi, gold medalist in figure skating

In My Humble: 2014 NBA All-Star Game Reserves

In My Humble: Super Bowl XLVIII Preview

Footballdum

If I may, let me preface this post by stating that I'm a huge San Francisco 49ers fan.  

I've been a 49ers fan since the days of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Who wouldn't love to see Hall Of Fame safety Ronnie Lott "decapitate" an opposing wide reciever coming across the middle of the field?  I've had the privilege of seeing my favorite pro football team win multiple Super Bowls. The 49ers don't win the Super Bowl every year, but I root for them as if they do.

From 2002 to 2011 the 49ers failed to qualify for postseason play.  I had to endure nine seasons of football futility; and let me tell you, it pretty much sucked.  Even though my favorite team was absent, I still watched the NFL playoffs. You see, I suffer from a disease known as footballdum. I simply have to watch football. It doesn't matter if my favorite team isn't playing, I'll still watch. My footballdum gave me the opportunity to see this guy play while he was still in college; at the University of Nevada Reno. 

As I type this, we're smack dab in the middle of this season's playoffs. Four teams remain:  The Denver Broncos, The New England Patriots, The Seattle Seahawks, and my San Francisco 49ers.  There are 28 other teams in the National Football League; and those teams season's have concluded.  Fans suffering from footballdum are in a critical stage.  If your team is still playing, then I salute you. If your team is "gone fishing," then your undoubtably upset.  My suggestion would be to get to know the actor Christopher Lambert.  The playoffs are much like his sci-fi movie's Highlander; in the end, there can be only ONE!