WS Chronicle

In above photo: Winston-Salem Police Department taking on the Winston-Salem Fire Department in a basketball game to raise money on Saturday, Aug. 22. (Photo by Tevin Stinson)

WSFD tops WSPD in face off to raise money

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) faced off against the Winston-Salem Fire Department (WSFD) in a game of basketball on Saturday, Aug. 22. Although the game was intense, the real winners were the boys’ basketball team at Carver High School.

Entrance into the game at Carver High was $5, with all proceeds going toward the purchase of new uniforms for the boys’ varsity basketball team. Carver head coach Wil Perry came up with the idea after playing with some of the participants during open practices over the summer and last season.

“The team has played with a number of these guys before,” said Perry. “So most of the guys are really familiar with the gym.”

Perry became head coach at Carver in 2013 when he took over for Danny Piggot, who was the head basketball coach for nine years before resigning to take over as assistant athletic director for the Yellow Jackets. Before coming to Carver, Perry was the head girls’ basketball coach at Greensboro Smith.

Michael Winbush, athletic director at Carver, walked around the gym during the charity game thanking those who came out to support the boys’ basketball team. Winbush said Perry approached him with the idea and he believed it was a great fundraising idea.

Before the start of the game, Perry welcomed the crowd and thanked all the volunteers for their participation in the event.

“Without the help of our many volunteers and the participation of police and fire departments none of this would have been possible.” Perry said.

“We are looking forward to the upcoming season” he said. “I feel confident in the team’s ability.”

During the charity game, it was clear both teams were a little rusty. During the first half, both teams had a number of turnovers and air balls, but as the game went on, both teams started to hit up.

The Police Department held a slim lead at the half but was unable to hold on the lead, and the WSFD left the gymnasium with the win.

Winbush said he is confident in Perry’s coaching ability.

“We’re getting better each year.” Winbush said.

Last season, the Yellow Jackets finished with a 18-7 record, which was good enough for second in the 2A Western Piedmont Athletic League behind North Surry. The Yellow Jackets split the season series with North Surry as both teams took advantage of their home courts.

The 18 wins was a six-game improvement from the year before when, the team finished the 2013- 2014 season with 12 wins and 15 losses. This year’s team will have to rely on the youth after losing six seniors from last year’s team.

The Yellow Jackets will kick off their 2015 campaign on Nov. 28, when they take on the Cougars from Southwestern Randolph.