........................................................................................................................................................................
GAME SCORE: March 3, 2012 - BLAZERS Take On the Flight, Come Out On Top
BLAZERS 124 - Fayetteville Flight 115. Leading the BLAZERS were Corey Love with 22, Leroy Williams with 20 and Raylon Almon chipping in 18. And kudos to the Flight's Bryan Callaway, who scored a game high 49. Great game!
........................................................................................................................................................................
GAME SCORE: Feb 26, 2012 - BLAZERS Ground the Fayetteville Flight
BLAZERS 103 - Fayetteville Flight 95. The BLAZERS pulled out a tough win Sunday, as Raylon Almon poured in 28 for the Blazers, with Tony Robinson throwing in 23 and Corey Love added 20.
The BLAZERS' final home game is this coming Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 at the Fayetteville Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building.
..........................................................................................................................
GAME SCORE: Feb 11, 2012 - BLAZERS Team Up With All-Stars to Put On a Show
BLAZERS 183 - Fayette County All-Stars 129. The Blazers were short-handed due to the snow, but the six players who made it didn't let up. They picked up the slack left it all out on the court with the the All-Stars team, assembled from Midland Trail, Oak Hill, Mt Hope and Fayetteville Alumni. The leading scorers for the All-Stars were Chris Nichols with 39 and Monty Wright with 28. Leading the Blazers were AJ Pigrim with 58 and Ray Almon dropped 41. Your Blazers play again in Bluefield on Sunday, Feb 19th, and then back in Fayetteville, Feb 26th .
........................................................................................................................................................................
News: November 2, 2011
The West Virginia Blazers are getting ready to enter their 4th season this year in the American Basketball Association. The Blazers are known throughout West Virginia for their contributions to youth off the court, and for their basketball abilities on court; they are frequently working in schools and participating in youth events all over WV to promote positive life choices for WV youth. Players serve as mentors for youth, encouraging them to stay away from drugs, crime and tobacco, and to stay in school.
The Blazers are pleased to announce BRIAN KIDD from Beckley, WV as the Blazers Head Coach for the 2011-2012 season. Brian was a standout at Woodrow Wilson High School, and went on to Mountain State University to become the all- time leading scorer. He played with the Blazers in the inaugural season in 2008/2009, and served as Assistant Coach in 2009/2010.
The Blazers plan to play all over southern WV in the 2011/2012 season; Fayette County will host 8 games, while the remaining 7 home games will be played in schools in southern WV so the Blazers can do what they do best – play basketball and encourage youth to make good choices!
To find when and where the Blazers play near you, please check back here on the website.
Blazers Promote Tobacco Cessation
On behalf of the WV Blazers, player Joey Preast participated in a commercial promoting the WV Quitline, WV’s tobacco cessation program. The infomercial provides valuable information to smokers and smokeless tobacco users, including those serving in our Military branches. The Blazers are proud to partner with Community Connections of Mercer County and the WV Quitline, who work together to encourage tobacco users to choose health over tobacco use.
Check out the commercial: http://wvusafquitnow.org/
.........................................................................................................................................................
The West Virginia Blazers teamed up with Habitat for Humanity for the SLAM DUNK 2011 on April 1, 2011. The event was held to raise money for the first WOMAN BUILD house in Greenbrier County, WV. WOMAN BUILD is a branch of Habitat for Humanity, where women provide all of the work to construct homes for WV families. .
The game was held at Greenbrier East High School, alma mater of former NBA veteran BIMBO COLES, who played with the Blazers for the event. Bimbo sometimes ‘suits up’ with the Blazers and the Drug Free All Stars in schools and at community events to help the Blazers promote positive life choices for WV youth. A 14 year veteran of the NBA, and former stand out at VA Tech (as well as Greenbrier East High School), Bimbo ‘gives back’ to his community... read full story
........................................................................................................................................................
The Blazers made the ABA Playoffs again this past season. On Saturday, March 12, the #24 ranked Blazers came out blazing in Portsmouth, VA, in the first round of the ABA playoffs, but the #5 ranked Seven City Knights maintained the lead throughout the first half by 15-20 points. The Knights ran away with the game in the second half, when Concord alum Chris Nichols with a tore his ACL. The Blazers just couldn't keep up this time with a final score of 146-91, concluding the Blazers' 2010-2011 ABA season.
The Blazers would like to thank you, the fans, for all of your support. Check back for other scheduled events and apperances.
.........................................................................................................................................................
The Blazers introduced the Blazers Cheerleaders for 2011! The girls cheer on the Blazers as well as working with the kids in the BLAZE ZONE at Blazers' home games. Meet the girls here!
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
Feb 16, 2011
BLAZERS at East Kentucky Energy
The Blazers lost to the number 4 ranked team in thhe ABA the East KY Energy, Wednesday night, 140-125. The game was close throughout with the score tied entering the last period. The Energy pulled ahead with three minutes to go and the Blazers couldn't quite catch up. Leading scorers for Blazers were Anthony Kimble with 27, Raylon Almon with 23, Jordan Carter with 25, Chris Nichols with 19. Leading the energy was former Marshall star J.R. Vanhoose with 25, Scotty Samarco with 24 and Roderick Smith with 23.
.........................................................................................................................................................
Feb 7, 2011: Raylon Almon named ABA All-Star Alternate
Raylon Almon #4 was named as an ABA All Star Alternate. Almon, the 6' guard out of Bluefield State College, averages 24 points per game in this his first season for the Blazers. Congrats to Raylon! Stay hot this season!
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
November 19, 2010
BLAZERS and ALL-STARS PERFORM AT TRAP HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Trap Hill Middle School in Raleigh County, WV, was the location of a Blazers/All Star show on Friday. The show provides fun entertaintment for kids, while inserting a drug/tobacco and crime free message. Prizes were given during the program and every student in attendance received a free ticket for admission to a Blazers game in the 2010-2011 season.
.........................................................................................................................................................
November 18, 2010
BLAZERS "READ ALOUD" AT PRINCETON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Thursday, members of the WV Blazers spent the afternoon at Princeton Primary School reading to students as part of the Read Aloud Program offered by the school. Blazers players attend schools frequently to read to students and speak to them about making positive life choices. All 600 students at Princeton Primary were presented with free tickets for any Blazers home game for the 2010-2011 season.
.........................................................................................................................................................
November 17, 2010
BLAZERS VISIT RONCEVERT ELEMENTARY
The WV Blazers visited Roncevert Elementary School in Greenbrier County, WV on Wednesday. Over 500 students from area schools were brought in to see the Blazers 'show'. Members of the Drug Free All Star team were also on hand to help present a fun, informative program to students. The Blazers spoke to students about the importance of making good choices, character development and staying away from drugs and tobacco. Prior to the program, the Blazers helped to judge a poster contest for students, promoting positive life choices. Every student in attendance received a free ticket to get into a Blazers game for the 2010-2011 season!
.........................................................................................................................................................
October 29, 2010
BLAZERS SPEAK TO BECKLEY ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Beckley Elementary had Blazers roaming the halls! Members of the WV Blazers moved from classroom to classroom for several hours reading to students in small groups. Then 4th and 5th grade students came together in assembly to listen to the Blazers talk about character development, discipline and good manngers after presenting a "show" to entertain them.
Blazers also spoke with the students about the 2010 trip to China and what they learned from another culture. The staff at Beckley Elementary provided refreshments for the Blazers after the event, "they were just great hosts" stated DeNelle Hale, one of the Blazers in attendance. All students at the school were presented with tickets for free admission to a Blazers game, when accompanied by an adult.
.........................................................................................................................................................
October 19, 2010
A MESSAGE FROM THE BLAZERS:
"Hello to our sponsors, partners, friends, and 'WV Blazers family' ... I wanted to share the following video with you - if you would please take a few minutes to watch it, you will see some of what the BLAZERS do in communities in WV. We are especially proud to have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build the 600th Habitat house in WV. The SLAM DUNK 600 is featured towards the end of the video; you will see how we were able to use basketball to help bring the community together to raise money for the house, just as we use basetball to promote positive life choices for WV youth....
Thank you SO much for your support - it is because of your help and encouragement that we are able to continue to make a difference in the lives of WV youth.
Sincerely,
Cindy Preast Harrington
General Manager" (video link below)
Habitat600thHouse--.mov
.........................................................................................................................................................
West Virginia Blazers and BLAZE at the 2010 WV State Fair
(Visit the Blazers' Facebook page to see the pictures!)
In partnership with Community Connections of Mercer County, the WV Blazers and Blaze exibited at the WV State Fair in August. Blazers' players Joey Preast and DeNelle Hale (pictured left) took time out to talk to Hoppy Kercheval on-air and helped promote the Fair and the upcoming ABA season. Visitors who stopped to see the Blazers registered and won prizes and BLAZE made special appearances daily. A good time was had by all!
June 19, 2010 - Blazers Help IMPACT Raise Money
On Saturday night, the Blazers put away their aprons from the early morning pancake breakfast with the Alzheimers Association to hit the courts to help Tazewell's IMPACT group raise funds. The fundraiser was a community basketball game, WV Blazers vs Community All Stars. The evening was filled with basketball, youth and FUN! Tazewell Middle School was the host school in Tazewell, VA. WVVA's Greg Carter was the coordinator of the event. IMPACT is a community faithbased group that provides programs and services to community youth in the Tazewell County area.
Visit IMPACTS Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/IMPACT-Tazewell-County/115765265116353 to see more services they provide for area youth!! The Blazers were pleaed to participate with IMPACT to encourage youth to make positive life choices.
......................................................................................................................
June 19, 2010 - Blazers help WV Alzheimers Association Kick off Annual Memory Walk
While serving pancakes is not considered a 'sport', the Blazers were true community sports on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 at Applebees in Princeton, WV. They served up pancakes to attendees who were helping to kick off the 2010 Mercer County Memory Walk. The Blazers will be working with the Alzheimers Association to raise money and awareness for Alzheimers. Please visit their website to learn more about the work they do in WV at http://www.alz.org/wv/in_my_community_about.asp. The Blazers plan to attend the 2010 Memory Walk in Mercer and Raleigh Counties. The Blazers are proud to be associated with the WV Alzheimers Assocaition and the wonderful work they do in WV to serve WV families.
......................................................................................................................
June 18, 2010 - Blazers Join in Multicultural Event in Beckley, WV
The Blazers started their day at noon making an appearance at the Youth Museum of Beckley for the 2010 Juneteenth Multicultural Festival. The Blazers were invited to participate to help youth in attendance have fun while learning about different cultures. Many activities were planned for the day as part of the annual festival. The Blazers are please to have participated for a second year and hope to be back in 2011!
......................................................................................................................
June 17 & 18, 2010 - Blazers Help with GEAR UP Program Camp
The WV Blazers helped the WV Division of Higher Education with the GEAR UP program camp at Concord College in Athens, WV. As the website shows, the GEAR UP program in WV is a federally funded six year program designed for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The Blazers worked with camp attendees to show them basic basketball skills and mentored them to help them get excited about attending high school and college. Attendees begin participation in the program in 8th grade and are mentored through high school to plan for college (please visit GEAR UP's website at http://www.wvgearup.org/ to learn more about this awesome program!).
The Blazers were invited by the WV Division of Higher Education to participate in the GEAR UP camp because of their involvement in mentoring youth. The Blazers continue to encourage youth to make positive life choices, including planning for and attending college.
......................................................................................................................
June 15, 2010 -- Blazers Appear at Midland Trail Basketball Camp
The Blazers were invited for a second year to exhibit skills for Midland Trail Basketball Camp attendees. Blazers visited with attendees also to encourage them to make positive life choices. The Blazers will be back at Trail for an appearance at the next camp in July. Midland Trail High School is the alma mater of Chris Nichols, #14 for the WV Blazers
......................................................................................................................
June 14, 2010 -- Blazers Help With Boy Scout Camp
The Blazers were pleased to be part of the Fayette County Boy Scout Camp on Monday, June 14 at the Fayette County 4-H park. Outside basketball was planned for the day for the 60 plus boys attending camp. Rain caused plans to change, so the Blazers visited with scouts and helped kick off the first day of camp with fun and mentoring activities. Chris Nichols and Joey Preast, who helped campers along with DeNelle Hale, are life-long residents of Fayette County and were pleased to have the opportunity to participate in a program like Boy Scouts to mentor young men in the area.
......................................................................................................................
June 5, 2010 - Blazers Participate In Unicare Health Fair
The WV Blazers and "BLAZE" were at the Mercer Mall to participate in the UniCare Health Fair. The fair encouraged healthy lifestyles for families and children in southern WV. Blaze entertained youth while Blazers passed out tattoos. The Blazers are pleased to help promote positive lifestyle choices for WV families and youth.
......................................................................................................................
The WV BLazers helped the St. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Oak Hill, WV raise money for student activities during their Spring Carnival. This is the second year the Blazers have helped the school with the annual carnival. The Blazers did mini-clinics to teach basketball fundamentals, hoola-hooped with attendees, and had fund with children attending. Some of the Blazers volunteered for the dunking booth to help raise funds. The Blazers continue to work in communities in southern WV to help organizations that promote positive life choices for WV youth.
......................................................................................................................
May 26, 2010 - The WV Blazers were invited to Stratton Middle School in Raleigh County, WV to entertain the student body and promote positive life choices for youth. In the midst of games, dunks and an exhibition of basketball skills by the Blazers, youth were encouraged to make good choices and stay away from drugs, tobacco and crime. The Blazers enjoyed visiting and interacting with the students.
......................................................................................................................
Director of WV Blazers and BluefieldHousing Authority sits down with WOWK TV's Decision Makers
Check out the interview here.
|
January 15, 2009 ; The State Journal
|
A Bluefield-based housing authority is banking on a pro basketball team to help young people improve their lives.
Story by Mike Ruben
Email | Other Stories by Mike Ruben
It has been a unique drive to the professional basketball hoop for the West Virginia Blazers...
Read more...
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The WV Blazers are owned and managed by Bluefield Housing Authority in Bluefield, West Virginia.
All net proceeds from the Blazers will be used to sponsor prevention programs which promote a drug, alcohol, tobacco and crime-free lifestyle. These programs will serve at-risk youth in southern WV communities. BluefieldHousing Authority is audited annually by an Independent Public Auditor. All funds are managed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Get Your ABA Sports Ticker Here FREE!
(Good for PC or Mac)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
