PEMBROKE — Take a gym full of homecoming-celebrating students and alumni, mix some live music from the in-house DJ with giddy student-athletes, and the result is a two-hour showcase for basketball fans of all ages.
For the eighth straight year, the English Jones Center was rocking for Moonlight Madness as The University of North Carolina at Pembroke basketball teams were introduced for the first time of the 2018-19 season.
Women’s coach John Haskins took in the action from the sidelines and was impressed with the large turnout.
“It’s fun to get [the team] out in front of some people. They get excited,” Haskins said about his group after watching them play in front of someone other than his staff for the first time this year. “There’s the crowd, and there’s noise…The girls had fun and this is a great event.”
Men’s coach Ben Miller was thrilled to see his guys back in front of the rowdy bunch that supported them through back-to-back Peach Belt Conference championships.
The men’s team is lead by senior captain James Murray-Boyles, who had his share of exciting moments and laughs throughout the night, but was more subdued after his fourth Moonlight Madness.
“It felt good, but I’m ready for when it actually counts,” said Murray-Boyles.
The star forward did have a light moment when he spoke about his performances in the individual events this year.
“Hey, it was one bad shooting night,” Murray-Boyles chuckled. “When the games come, I’ll knock them down.”
He participated in the three-point contest, which was a tag-team effort with a member of the women’s team and a random fan. He was out-gunned by fellow teammate Cam Hamilton, who caught fire in the late stages of his round.
The reigning slam dunk champion couldn’t defend his crown, either, and didn’t make it to the final round that was held after the shooting contest. Redshirt senior transfer Shaun Kirk, who came from N.C. State, dazzled the crowd with his vertical and easily won the event over fellow transfer Spencer Levi.
Levi won the crowd over early in the competition by throwing down his first dunk of the night on his initial attempt. He wasn’t able to put down a self-pass slam in the final round, after multiple attempts, and made it easier for Kirk to take the title.
But for Levi, it was all about the first experience to be in front of the Braves faithful.
“It was just exhilarating. The fan base and everything is really crazy; it was fun,” he said.
After the individual contests were over, both teams got to flash their freelance skills in a timed scrimmage. Levi was one of the standouts during this session as well, which pleased his new coach. Miller noted that Levi would be the only newcomer that will see quality minutes and raved about how his length and athleticism can immediately impact this year’s squad.
“I had a good time out here just playing with the guys and getting a feel for this school and what it’s going to be like,” Levi said of his first five-on-five action not regulated by the coaching staff.
As to what he hopes to contribute to a team already loaded with championship talent, Levi said he wants to bring energy and “doubling the winning culture” at the program. He says building chemistry is the top priority as they get ready for the real action to start.
The men start out with a road exhibition game at Ohio State on Nov. 1, while the women will travel to Georgia for the PBC/Conference Carolinas Challenge and play Southern Wesleyan on Nov. 9.
