Lopes Madness a Slam Dunk

The LCC Wellness Center was packed on Saturday as the Runnin' Lopes Men's Basketball team hosted their first ever Lopes Madness.  Approximately 400 people came to the event, which was a kick-off celebration for the upcoming basketball season. 

DJ Matt Mata got the crowd involved and having fun to start the night off right.  Fans kicked off the event with musical chairs and good old-fashioned knock-out that featured competition between LCC students and employees as well as community members and their kids. 

Then the lights went down as the 2015-2016 Runnin' Lopes varsity team took to the court to be introduced for the first time this season.  Team introductions were followed by those of the coaching staff including head coach Sercan Fenerci and assistant coaches Ross Convertino and Jimmy Bencomo.

The night was largely about building excitement for the upcoming season.  The team did just this by highlighting their skills with a 3-point shot contest, a slam dunk contest, and a blue vs. white scrimmage.  Freshman Wayne Stewart took the 3-point contest with 14 made shots, narrowly edging out fellow freshman Jose Arenas.

The highlight of the evening was definitely the slam dunk contest.  The players showed off their most impressive moves to a panel of guest judges including Chief Judge Stan Brinkley, Math Faculty member Joe Massotti, Dean Dr. Annessa Stagner, Team Manager Ricky O'Kelley, and Women's Head Coach Tom Sutherland.  Freshman guard Michael Skinner won the contest after receiving all tens from the judges including a score of infinity courtesy of Math Faculty member Joe Massotti.

"I was hoping to get to use that infinity and he gave me the perfect opportunity," commented Massotti.

The team wrapped up the event with a blue vs. white scrimmage to give the crowd a taste of what they can expect at future games. 

"I think the event went great," said Coach Fenerci.  "With all the other events going on in town, we still had a nice crowd.  People were laughing, clapping and enjoying themselves, and the guys loved it.  It was great for them to see all the community support that they have, which makes them that much more excited for the season to start.  Hopefully we will keep up this momentum and have a successful year."

Dr. Stagner agreed that the event was a success.  "I was honored to judge the slam dunk contest and I am very impressed by the athletic skill shown by all of our basketball players," she said.  "As a new member of the booster club, I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming season."