Birthdays and Basketball

Zach (21) and Claire (20) both have October birthdays and they, Jeanette (Claire's Mom), and I  celebrated the other Friday night with dinner at the newly renovated Crossroads Restaurant at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. I like the contemporary look of the new decor, and the food is as delicious as ever.  The waiter surprised the birthday couple with two birthday cakes. 

Following dinner we enjoyed Late Night With Roy at the Dean Dome where the 2015-2016 varsity basketball team was introduced. The packed Dome was festively decorated and the entertainment was enjoyable, but Jeanette and I didn't stay for the basketball game that was played late in the evening.

Now I'm looking forward to returning to the Dean Dome for the first JV basketball game where my two grandsons are on the Carolina JV Team. 

2013: My Year in Photos

January:  A trip to the Florida Keys with Dan and Patrick.

Patrick on the Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale.

March:  Grandson Zach's Broughton High Basketball Team played in the 4A High School State Finals in the Dean Dome. They were runner up. 

Zach playing in State Finals in the Dean Dome (Photo by Ava Barlow.).

April:  Back to Florida to visit Cousin Elizabeth in West Palm Beach.

The Breakers in West Palm.

June:  Zach graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC

Zach graduates from Broughton High School.

and went to Australia with Claire and her Mom.

Zach, Claire, Jeanette at Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

My Cleveland County family surprised me with a birthday party---not my birthday.

Pat and Dan surprised.

July:  Cousin Robin and Elizabeth came down and we visited some of our Cleveland County cousins.

Cleveland County cousins: Jimmy Hawkins, Donna Wilson, Shelva Wilson, Jerry Scruggs.

August:  Attended Joe and Alice's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party.

Dan and Joe.

Flew with Maggie to Nova Scotia for two wonderful weeks.

Maggie enjoying the beach at Marble Mountain.

September:  Attended the Hawkins Reunion in Cleveland County.

Dan and Jerry at Hawkins Reunion.

October:  Back to Nova Scotia for two more weeks.

Fiona and Iris at potluck supper at Wendy's.

November: My sons and I traveled to Cuba with the Wolftrekers.

Patrick, Michael and I ride in a 1957 Chevrolet convertible.

  Friend Virginia here for her birthday and Thanksgiving.

Virginia opens her birthday gift.

December:  Christmas festivities with family and friends.

GrandPat and her Grands.

Pat and Dan. 

 Love to all my family and friends for making 2013 such a fine year.  

A Party for the Broughton Caps Boys' Basketball Team

The Boys' Basketball Team at Broughton High School made quite a run this year going all the way to the Dean Dome to play in the 4A High School State Championship.  They played a terrific game there---very close---and although Olympic of Charlotte won (56 to 53), these boys will always be champions to me.   To quote Michael Jordan, "They didn't lose they just ran out of time."

The parents gave the boys and coaches an end of season party last night and here are some of the photos.

Party at home of Chris Brickhouse (far left).

Left to right: Chase, Devonte', Sam, Vonshae, John.

Coach Ferrell.

Hungry guys.

Chase's Mom and Sister.

Grandpat and the Team.

Watching video of some of their best plays.

Many of these boys are seniors and will be moving on to college, I wish them well in whatever their future holds.  And for those returning to the Team next year, I hope to see you at the Dean Dome. 

Charlotte Olympic 56, Raleigh Broughton 53

Congratulations to Olympic.* 

The 4A High School Boys' Basketball Championship game was played in the Dean Dome on Saturday night  March 16, 2013.  It was a very close game and although Broughton from Raleigh lost we are very proud of our CAPS.  They played a tremendous game against an excellent team from Olympic in Charlotte. 

Chris Brickhouse.

Devonte Graham.

James Hemphill.

Zach Palmer.

Chase Johnston.

Coach Jeff Ferrell.

Hold your heads high.  You made a great run this year!

 This Broughton Team will always be champions in my eyes.  To quote Michael Jordan, "You didn't lose the game, you just ran out of time!"  I love these guys, especially my grandson Zach.

* All photos from the News and Observer by Ray Black III. 

A Morning Visit to the Dean Dome

 

It was such a beautiful morning I decided to drive over to Chapel Hill and get some photos of the Dean Dome on the University of North Carolina campus---the home of the UNC Tarheels.. Actually I wanted to "case the joint" to see where the Broughton fans will be sitting on Saturday night when the Broughton High School boys play Olympic for the 4A NCHSAA State Championship.  I want to be sure that I get behind the Broughton bench as I have for the last four years that Zach has been on the team. 

It was special being in the Dean Dome with no other person around.  I could soak in the beauty of the arena without the distraction of a crowd,  and it is beautiful.

The bleachers.  The uppermost ones aren't going to be used for Saturday's game.

I'll share some of the photos with you.

The front of the Dean Dome.

 

Broughton will be the home team and will be sitting where the Carolina team usually sits.

View from the end of the court.  It is hard to believe that Zach will be playing there Saturday night.

I was a college sophomore in 1957, and I remember watching on TV that Championship game.

Six national championships.  I didn't realize there was one in 1924.

The campus was deserted because of Spring Break.  When I was teaching in college I found it too quiet and a bit sad when students were away on Spring and Fall Breaks.  It's just not the same without the chatter of students around campus. 

Deserted campus with students on Spring Break.

Sidewalk between the Dean Dome and the Natatorium.

I am so excited and look forward to the game on Saturday night.  Win or lose it will be a special adventure for the team and for me.