WS Chronicle

It seemed as if it was meant to be for Coach Art Blevins’ last team at Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center to come away with the championship.  Before he retires in a couple of weeks, his 16-18-year-old All-Stars went undefeated and won the city championship in basketball.

According to Hanes Hosiery coach Jeremiah Hawks,the team seemed to be on a mission to send Blevins out on top.  Hawks played ball for coach Art when he was a kid and now works for him.  He told all of the players at the beginning of the teen league season that the goal was to bring home the championship for coach Art and that’s exactly what they did.

The team went went 7-0, defeating teams from Sprague Street, 14th Street, Carl H. Russell Sr. and William Sims recreation centers.  The team also easily defeated the team from W.R. Anderson in the Teen League City Championship game by the score of 86-69.

Blevins says he felt as though this team was destined to come away with the victory in the championship game.  He said the fact they were able to win it all while being undefeated makes it extra special.

“I knew we were going to win because it is my last year and Jeremiah told the guys, “We are going to win this for coach Art,” he said.  “I knew we had a pretty good team, but as the season went, on it began to be very impressive.”

Hanes Hosiery was led in the game by the outstanding play of sharp shooting guards Marley Pittman and Caleb Burgess.  Pittman was on fire in the first quarter, drilling seven treys while Burgess popped in three triples, which set the tone as Hanes Hosiery jumped out to a 23-point lead.

Pittman finished with 30 points while Burgess added 23 points.  Josh Crippen had 10 points and four steals while Bradley Pittman had 9, Steven Randall had 6 points and 10 boards.  D.C. Hudson and Nyseem Berekin combined for 8 more points and led the Hosiery on defense.  Crippen also set the tone with his all-around play, dishing out eight assists and being the vocal leader on the floor.

“Each week there was somebody different on the team that stepped up,” Blevins said.  “The fact they were able to do it while being undefeated puts a little extra icing on the cake for me.  I will really miss this more than you know.”

Hanes Hosiery had several players missing from the big win due to prior obligations.  Bobby Williams, Jacob Brown, Sam Reams and starting power forward Rudy Williams were the players that were unavailable for the championship.

Coach Art was in tears after the game, thanking each player and awarding them with individual trophies for a wonderful season.  He said this was a very special team that he would hold dear to his heart and memories. 

“This team reminded me of teams I used to have years ago when they had that scrap in them and wouldn’t back down for anything,” Blevins said.  “God had a plan for this team and I knew we were going to win, it was meant to be.”

Blevins will go out with another championship to end his 40-year career and says he is a blessed man to have had great kids and teams over the years.

Blevins also had praise for Jeremiah Hawks and Patrice Johnson for the great jobs they have done with him at the center.  He also wanted to thank Bryce Sherman for coordinating the Teen League.  Blevins said Sherman did an outstanding job.

Burgess and Crippen were named co-MVPs for their consistent regular season play.  Marley Pittman was named MVP of the championship game for his outstanding play.