Ballin' For A Cure

In an effort to "shoot for the cure," Carolina Cancer Focus held its third annual three-on-three basketball tournament from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Woollen Gym.

Sophomore Wallace Simpson, tournament coordinator, said he estimates that more than $1,300 was raised for cancer research during the tournament, making it the most successful to date.

The organization has been holding the tournament since 1999, with all proceeds going directly to various organizations or research groups that work to eliminate cancer.

The tournament pits teams against each other in 16-point half-court contests. This year, the proceeds will go to the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, which operates on UNC's campus.

The winning team, comprised senior Josh Fish, freshman Ned Wellman and freshman Karibi Dagogo, beat out juniors Paymon Rouhanifard, president of the class of 2003, Jonathan Holmes -- a member of the varsity men's basketball team -- and Jason Norris in the final game.

Simpson said money is raised primarily though the $10 entrance fee per player. With 25 teams participating this year, he said the event is growing in popularity.

"This type of event takes a long time to get established, but it is definitely starting to grow at a fast rate," Simpson said. "People recognize that it's a good cause and are starting to come out in force."

Simpson said the tournament itself was organized the same way as in previous years, but publicity was improved in an attempt to attract more UNC students and community residents.

"We got a lot of UNC students and a few (junior varsity) and varsity basketball players, but we also had teams from (Duke University) and (N.C. State University) participate as well," Simpson said.

He said CCF's efforts attracted Joseph Forte to participate in the first two tournaments, and this year Holmes and Will Johnson joined the cause. This year also saw the first all-woman team, which Simpson said fared well in the tournament.

Junior Robert Albright, CCF fund-raiser chairman and vice president of the class of 2003, said he is pleased with the large turnout this year.

"Our goal is to become our area's top spring tournament, and it is so good to see more participants this year," he said.

Norris, whose team played in the final match, said the tournament is a way to show support for cancer research through popular sports.

"We have a pretty athletic community here at UNC, and people know that it helps a lot of people," he said. "I enjoy playing basketball so this is a good way to do that and raise money at the same time."

After the final match, as players congratulated each other, members of CCF also congratulated each other on a long but successful day of fund raising.

"Our goal was to raise the $1,000 we raised in each of the first two tournaments," Simpson said.

"We are all so happy with the tournament and pleased to see that it is growing every year."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.