A group of former high school basketball players gathered at Rise Academy Saturday night for ‘Jump Shots, Not Gun Shots.’
One of the organizers, Estacado High School graduate and former basketball star, Clarence Willard, said the basketball game was supposed to help influence kids to find hobbies that make a positive impact on their lives.
“We’re just trying to bring a positive message to the community,” Willard said. “Making more people pick up basketballs, footballs, baseballs and less guns. Just trying to bring a positive message so we can stop the violence, less deaths in the community.”
This is the first time the basketball game has ever been played in Lubbock. They held a similar event in Odessa a few weeks ago. Former basketball players from Lubbock high schools and Midland/Odessa high schools participated.
Another organizer, Donnell Hooper, said east Lubbock is alive, thriving and full of potential.
“And this event is a message to all of Lubbock,” Hooper said. “To the people that are pioneers of east Lubbock, that are youth, they have positive things on their minds all they need is encouragement. And most of the time they to be encouraged by somebody their own age.”
“So this is a way that we can you know just keep positivity in our community,” Nadia Lewis said.
Willard said they want the money raised at Saturday night’s event will help them put on a free barbecue for the community during Spring Break called ‘Buy Back the Hood.’
