It’s a game that stands the test of time, even if a few of the reflexes have some wear and tear.
The 26th edition of the East-West Alumni Basketball Game returns at 6 p.m. Friday to the Gordon Kerkman Gymnasium at West Aurora High School.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Women’s and men’s teams made up of alumni from both East Aurora and West Aurora high schools will meet on the court as will players from the current boys and girls teams in a 3-point contest.
It’s all part of a fundraiser to benefit the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center in Aurora.
Kenny Battle, the 1984 West Aurora High School grad who starred at Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois before being drafted by the NBA, will coach the Blackhawks men, looking to avenge last year’s nail-biter of a loss on a last-second shot from 2008 Tomcat grad Jermaine Taylor.
Wendell Jeffries, a 1982 East Aurora High School grad who coached the Tomcats from 2001-17, will return to direct the East alumni.
Tickets can be purchased online for $10 for adults and $8 for students at https://events.bam.fam/en/catapult/event/4451 or in person at Sophisticated You Hair Salon, 57 S. Broadway, and the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center, 1144 Galena Blvd., both in Aurora.
Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $10 for students, with kids under 5 years old allowed in free.
Coaching the women’s teams, who will open the event, are West Aurora High School 2004 grad Kina Miller and 1984 East Aurora High School grad Tasha Cameron.
The West Aurora women’s roster includes Breianna Jones, Essence Rayford, T’yon Meeks, Skylar Doby, Carley Frauenhoff, Ashley Williams, Sky Joyner, Johnna Calvert, Teryn Griffin and Kiyanna Rodgers.
The East Aurora women’s roster includes Yessenia Cabadas, ‘Sandy Cabadas, Cecelia Turnage, Felicia Mercado, Tyshee Towner, Leanne Neimeyer, Jeanette Villezcas, Briana Clowney, Gaby Lechuga and Marta Medina.
The West Aurora men’s roster includes Randy Stewart, D.J. Vaughn, Markus Crocroft, T.J.Marion, Tevin Rush, Hezekiah Salter, Tommy Goulding, Reggie Jordan, Andre Newson, Jontrell Walker, Traevon Brown, Dernodo Eiland, Tyrone Carey, Montrel Billups and Latrell Slater.
The East Aurora men’s roster includes John Williams, David Uribe, Maurice Judon, Jordan Malone, Latron Kirkwood, Jermaine Taylor, Ryan Hayden, Tom Okapal, Jonathan Villezcas, Catrell Green, Justin Tiner, Keenan McGee, Jamario Taylor and Domonique Johnson.
The national anthem at the event will be performed by West Aurora grads Crystal Ruffin (Class of 1991) and Kristen McNeil (Class of 2004).
