CHARLESTON WINS ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP

A team composed of former Charleston High School players accomplished something not that unusual for them. They won a basketball championship.

This team, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, defeated Coca Cola 50-40 to capture the title of the 10th annual Slamfest at Indian Park Sunday afternoon.

Coca-Cola, with several players from New Madrid County Central, Poplar Bluff and Richland high schools, was trying to become the first team to emerge from the loser's bracket to win the championship of the street-ball tournament.

But the Charleston group was having none of it. Entering the first game of the championship round undefeated at 4-0, Charleston lost a nail-biter to Coca-Cola 50-49 to set up the final contest.

Charleston's superior depth and dogged defensive play proved too much for the Coca-Cola squad.

The Charleston win was, in a sense, a confirmation of the skills and work ethic instilled by long-time coach Lennies McFerren, who guided Charleston High School to several state titles.

Said player Richard Ware, "The things he showed us about defense we still use today. And that drive he put in us, just makes you want to win."

Another former McFerren disciple, team captain Leonard Corbitt, simply said, "Coach Mac is the man."

Nick Pratt, the heart and soul of the Charleston team, was voted the most valuable player of the tournament. Pratt is certainly not the most skilled player on the court, but there was no argument that he was the most gutsy.

He constantly did the dirty work for his team: getting the tough rebound, diving for loose balls, taking charges and providing inspiration when his squad appeared down.

Greg Coble of Brownsville, Tenn., won the three-point shooting contest, which was held prior to the championship games. Coble and Todd Nelson of Chicago, Ill., netted eight shots in the preliminary round to force a shootout. Coble, a member of the Coca-Cola team, edged Nelson, who played for the Ron Jones State Farm team, 7-6 in the shootout.

The tournament organizers recognized the lead corporate sponsor, the Southeast Missourian, with a plaque presented to co-presidents Jon and Rex Rust and publisher Wally Lage.

Aside from the high level of play on the courts -- along with the food and the fun -- the tournament successfully fulfilled its primary purpose, to provide funds for the House of Prayer Educational Youth Domestic Center.