The Seahawk

Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: News

It's that time of year again as the sounds of basketballs pounding on the hardwood, high-flying dunks and heart-pounding buzzer-beaters fill the air. Midnight Madness is the official kickoff to the 2009-2010 basketball season for both the UNCW men's and women's teams.

The activities of Midnight Madness included Big B of Coast 97.3, Sammy the Seahawk, the dance team, a UNCW Got Talent show, Physical Graffiti, and a first ever performance by the UNCW drum line, not to mention there was basketball to be played as the night's feature presentation. The three-point contest and dunk contest were not lost among the ostentation of Midnight Madness.

As head coach of the men's team, Benny Moss is entering his fourth season and is quite fond of the event. "Midnight Madness is a great festivity for the fans and a great way to get the fans excited about the season and involved with the team," he said.

Fans were certainly excited when it came time for player introductions of the men's and women's teams. Each player came out to a specific intro song that was greeted with a thunderous applause and cheering fans. It was all laughs, however, when it came to the song selection by Josh Sheets, "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus, and Daniel Mercer's song choice of "We Belong Together" by Taylor Swift.

Juniors Dominique Lacy and Chad Tomko are seasoned veterans when it comes to Midnight Madness. Lacy, who never ceases to amaze in the dunk contest, always enjoys the event. "I just try and get the fans into it and have fun, because after tonight the real season begins," he said.

The floor general, Tomko, enjoys the madness of the event also. Tomko participated in the three-point contest and ended up winning the long-range crown as he beat out sophomore Julia Finlay, but will we ever see Mr. Tomko in the dunk contest? "I told coach Moss I wanted a spot this year," he said. "Maybe I'll be in the dunk contest next year," the 5-foot-11-inch guard added with a sly smirk.

As for the dunk contest itself, the event favorite, Dominique Lacy was upset in the final round as he failed to complete his final dunk. Senior guard Darryl Felder went from sleeper to champion, winning the dunk contest. Freshman Mya Levels got the crowd pumped up as a late-entry into the dunk contest. Levels attempted to do her best Candace Parker impression as she flushed a volleyball through the hoop with the one-handed dunk.

John Fields, a junior transfer from ECU, compared Midnight Madness as a Seahawk to the experience as a Pirate. "There's no football team here to compete with and the atmosphere here at UNCW is better overall," he said.

Midnight Madness was an overall success as both the men's and women's basketball teams look ready to compete in the grueling upcoming season. Based on the fan turnout for Midnight Madness, estimated at over 2,000, the UNCW fans are "tealin' it."

The men have their first exhibition Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in Trask against North Greenville, while the women open play Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in Trask against UNC-Pembroke.

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