Source: Bernd Franke, Welland Tribune Photo: Bernd Franke, Welland Tribune
Despite not making the team and having to take in the action from the bleachers, Andre Edgecombe had himself a grand old time anyway when the Niagara Knights hosted Cambrian in men’s college basketball.
Not only were the Knights on their way to snapping a six-game losing streak, the second-year computer engineering student at the college’s main campus in Welland got the chance to become a part of the the hoops hoopla when his ticket was drawn for the $1,000 Shoot for Cash contest at halftime of the Saturday night game at the Athletic Centre.
To say the least, the 21-year native of the Bahamas – and a basketball player since he was a five-year-old growing up in Nassau – made the most of the opportunity to showcase his shooting skills and shine in the spotlight. .
And he made quick work of it, too. With seven shots to sink a layup, free throw, three-pointer and a Hail Mary from halfcourt, Edgecombe needed only four to achieve a feat that hadn’t been accomplished at the college in more than 10 years, not since the Knights were playing out of their old gym at the McKenzie Building.
It’s been so long since someone walked home with the grand prize that Mike Puillandre, the Niagara athletics and recreation department’s communications and events co-ordinator, couldn’t recall what the cash prize was back then.
“It’s been at least 10 years, that’s all I know for sure,” he said.
Niagara student Spencer Tanguay, who announces the games of Niagara’s varsity teams as well as home games of junior B hockey’s Pelham Panthers, agreed with Puillandre that Shoot for Cash is the furthest thing from being a slam dunk. He’s witnessed close to 50 of the contest and only a handful – “I would say about five,” he said – remained in contention for the cash after the three-point try.
“The three knocks them out, just about every time,” Tanguay said.
Puillandre had to go over the videotape to ensure Edgecombe stayed behind the lines for the free-throw and longer-distance shots before sending confirmation of the win to the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association which administers the provincewide contest sponsored by Boston Pizza.
It all checked out and Edgecombe pocketed the cheque Wednesday.
“I think I will go out and buy some clothes,” Edgecombe said with a chuckle when asked what he intends to do with the windfall.
He drained the layup and free-throw attempts with ease, and there was nothing but net as well on the three-pointer.
“I’ve always been a strong shooter all around,” said Edgecombe, who tried out for the team in his first year at Niagara but decided to concentrate on his studies when he returned for a second year.
Edgecombe described his money shot from halfcourt as a three-pointer lofted with purprose, rather than as Hail Mary buzzer beater powered by some strength and a lot of prayer.
“It was like a three-pointer, but I leaned forward a bit to get some added distance.”
The winning shot was Edgecombe’s first successful attempt from halfcourt, which impressed Puillandre even more,
“It look like he does this every week. It was rim and in,” he said.
Edgecombe’s basketball background didn’t preclude him from taking part in a contest that is held at halftime at all home games of the Niagara men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“This contest is open to all and his number was picked at random,” Puillandre said in pointing out only people who have played college basketball in the past five years are prohibited from taking part.
All participants in the contest receive a voucher for a free pizza from Boston Pizza and a t-shirt from the athletic department.
Both teams are on the road this weekend with back-to-back doubleheaders. Action tips off Saturday in Sarnia versus the Lambton Lions and wraps up the following afternoon in Windsor against the St. Clair Saints.
