Showcase Magazine December 2022

Harry Johnson Holiday Classic

showcase showcase

DECEMBER 2022

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Behind the Scenes of

The Harry Johnson Holiday Classic

BY PAUL SEIPLE PHOTOS LEE VOGLER

Much hard work goes into a basketball to turnament with the magnitude of the Harry Johnson Holiday Classic. The tournament takes place for three days at the end of each year, but the event is a year-long process. “The committee will start meeting in mid-January to evaluate the tournament that was just completed while it is fresh on our mind. Following the January meeting we work on the next tournament all the way up to the week of the tournament in December,” Tournament Co-Chair, Shelby Irvin said. Co-Chair, Sylvia Brooks added, “The committee comes together once a month to make sure we have the teams, and all needed to make this work smoothly.”

Former coach and athletic director at George Washington High School, Reid Taylor researches and fills the brackets with quality teams to ensure an exciting tournament. The committee comprises sub-committees with the purpose of filling in the gaps. “The committee consists of members who have expertise in certain areas such as officials, finance, hospitality, half-time events, sponsorships, advertising, security, and safety,” Irvin added.

Basketball has been a large part of Irving’s life since childhood. “I grew up playing basketball with my family, which lead me to playing on organized teams.

I played at Tunstall High School and Ferrum College. After college, I still had basketball in my blood. That transitioned to coaching at Averett College now Averett University,” Irving said. She also officiated in recreational leagues in Danville. “When I first heard of bringing the tournament back to George Washington High School, I immediately called Mayor Alonzo Jones and asked to be a part of the committee.” Mayor Jones was aware of Irving’s experience and granted her request. Joining the HJHC team was more than basketball for Irving. It was about bringing back part of history. “I wanted to be a part of what the residents of Danville and surrounding basketball fans wanted back during the holidays,” she added.

Brooks wanted to be part of the Classic for the youth. “The tournament is an excellent resource to provide a safe place for our youth to enjoy themselves and build positive relationships within the community.”

The HJHC is more than a weekend of games for basketball lovers. “It is the Danville community coming together to better where we work and live,” Brooks said. Irving continued, “This tournament is a wonderful opportunity for participating schools and fans to come together and play a game that teaches individuals

teamwork, responsibility, accountability, sportsmanship, and trust,” Irving said. Individually, those components help to shape children. Together, they create success in schools, community, jobs, and family. “The HJHC committee is all about the student’s well-being, giving all the opportunity to spend time with friends while cheering for their prospective schools,” Irving added.

Each year, the HJHC evolves into a bigger tournament. Brooks and Irving gave a sneak peek at this year’s tournament. Attendees should know beforehand; game tickets and concessions will be cash only. “The day will start off with a challenge game between teachers and parents. This will be a game of laughter and good sportsmanship,” Irving said. Brooks added, “It will be an awesome experience where attendees can get involved with pre-game and half-time games.”

Middle schools will play in the morning sessions. “The teams playing will be Bonner Middle School, Westwood Middle School, and Martinsville Middle School. These games help prepare the young men for the future varsity games they will play in as this tournament continues,” Irving said.

The girls’ tournament will begin after the middle school games. “The girl’s teams consist of GW, Tunstall, Gretna, and Orange County, from Orange VA,” Irving added.

Boys’ varsity takes the stage in the evening sessions. “This year we will have GW, Westover Christian Academy, Tunstall, Chatham, Gretna, and Norfolk Academy. GW will be eager to return and obtain the Harry Johnson Holiday Classic Championship trophy after losing to Green Run last year 52-55 nail bitter,” Irving said.

Harry Johnson (1938-2020)

BY TOMMY DODSON

Coach Harry Johnson is a native of Danville, Virginia, where he has spent most of his life. He is a product of the Danville Public School system and received a B.S. degree from Virginia State University and a Masters Degree from the University of

Virginia. Before beginning his career in education, Harry played professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and served a tour of duty in the United States Army. Coach Johnson is married and he and his wife Gaynell are the proud parents of two children, Christopher and Gabrielle.

When Coach Johnson first came to George Washington High School he taught physical education and coached both jayvee football and basketball. He was elevated to the head coaching position for the 1977-78 season where he remained for 19 years. During his time as the head coach at GW his teams won 348 games, earned 14 district titles, 6 Holiday Shootout championships, 3 final four appearances and one state title. His last team ended the 1995-96 season by defeating Hopewell 73-71 and winning the school’s first boys state title since 1933. A final record of 28-0 and a number 4 national ranking in the USA Today poll culminated Coach Johnson’s career as GW’s all-time winningest coach.

After retiring from teaching Coach Johnson continued to help and work with young people through his participation in many civic endeavors. He has been an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, The Danville Kiwanis club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Harry has also served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and The Danville Boys and Girls Club. Since retiring Harry has received numerous honors and awards but his most cherished award was his induction into the Danville Register and Bee Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

The 2022 HJHC Team Rosters

Scan the code with your phone’s camera to view the team rosters or visit www.showcasemagazine.com/HJHC.

The History of the

Harry Johnson Holiday Classic

BY TOMMY DODSON PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER

For 33 consecutive seasons, George Washington High School hosted a boys’ basketball tournament over the Christmas holidays. The Danville Register and Bee Holiday Shootout began in 1983 in the George Washington gymnasium and continued uninterrupted through 2015. Because of its popularity

and continual sellouts, the tournament was moved to the Grant Center at Averett University in 2005. The tournament expanded again with the addition of Girls’ teams in 2014. Without a sponsor, the tournament was not held in 2016, but a one- year reboot in 2017 called the Holiday Basketball Showcase was re-instituted.

In 2019, the renamed Harry Johnson Holiday Classic brought back many hours of excellent basketball and entertainment to the fans from Danville, Pittsylvania County, and the surrounding area. The Covid-19 crisis prevented the tournament from being held in 2020, but the Classic returned in 2021 and was one of the most exciting ever as Green Run defended their title with a close win over GW. The 2022 tournament promises to be just as entertaining, with 4 girls’s teams also competing for a championship.

In the very first tournament in 1983, George Washington played undefeated Gretna in the championship game. The Hawks were led by Ramsey Yeatts but were beaten by GW 38-34 in a defensive struggle. Barry

Mayo netted 13 points in the lowest-scoring game in tournament history to earn the first MVP award. Host GW has dominated the tournament since its inception by winning 21 titles, including 9 consecutive championships from 1994 to 2002. Star players like JamesOn Curry from Eastern Alamance, the all-time single game scoring leader with 59 vs. Chatham in 2001, and former Dan River standouts and current NFL players Trey, Tremaine, and Terrell Edmunds, are just some of the great athletes that have appeared in the tournament. Girls’s teams were added in 2014 and GW won the first two championships, with William Fleming bringing home the title in 2017. With two strong fields, including local heavyweights GW and Tunstall, the 2022 Harry Johnson Classic should be one of the best ever!

534 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24541 Bus: 434-835-1300

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Tournament

Westover Christian

Norfolk Academy

Gretna

7:30 PM

Tunstall

Winner Game #4

Winner Game #1

Chatham

Winner Game #2

7:30 PM Game #5 Game #3

Game #8 Game #7

Winner Game #5

7:30 PM 2:30 PM

Loser Game #3 Loser Game #4 Loser Game #5

Winner Game #3

REQUIEM FOR ROBERT MARSH…

Robert Marsh… Requiem for

BY BARRY KOPLEN AKA “POPPER”

Although I never enrolled in an art class taught by Robert Marsh, he and I had a running conversation about art that lasted for decades. Often, our chats occurred in his Averett University studio while he was printing an etching or touching up an image with cray pas, his oil pastels. My appreciation for his brilliant

work was evident; at least twelve of his pieces hang in my home.

Usually, I showed up at his studio just before he and I left to play golf. As eager as I was, however, I leaned to be patient while he added final touches to sizable

paintings. Despite his casual demeanor, he seemed to be a perfectionist.

And not just with his art. Robert had a vision, a sense of what was good or bad, what was truly important versus concerns about normal fluctuations regarding life’s vagaries. His perspective, grounded in heartfelt caring, allowed him to guide his children without manning a whip of sharp criticism.

That same attitude, infectious as it was, created lifelong friends and admirers.

Around Robert, life was good, problems were surmountable, and laughter was plentiful. Even his critical remarks came across as being so even-handed that those of us who received them were appreciative, eager for more.

We trusted Robert that much, enjoyed our nicknames he conjured, and never stopped using. I was “Popper.” In return, I called him “Bro.”

That’s how I addressed him whenever I visited his studio unannounced. Often, he wasn’t there. That’s when I scribbled a message on the paper sheet used for sketching and comments that covered the large student’s table in the front of his large studio. Using a broken piece of bright colored cray pas, I’d write a one sentence note about how his absence had cost him my visit.

I knew he’d see it and would recognize it because I addressed my message to “Bro”; no one in his class would

dare call him that.

That’s why it always felt to me that we were close as brothers. After all, I’d known him and his wonderful wife, Sandra, since before they had children. When their sons arrived, I marveled at their parenting skills, emulated them while raising my two daughters.

Life was special to Robert Marsh. Anyone who had seen his work knew that. Each image was vital, even his pastures and their cows; his etchings of historical homes appeared to portray memorable treasures. That same warmth caused the railroad’s trestle across Craghead Street to radiate as if in Robert’s spotlight.

But that wasn’t the only reason I bought his trestle painting. He had told me how much he’d wanted to portray that image, but couldn’t find the right way to approach it. That was on my mind when I photographed the trestle; I looked through my lens as if I were about to communicate what I saw to Robert.

That’s why I gave him my only copy of the picture I’d taken of it with my Leica.

Robert never gave it back. Chances are it’s in a box of sketches that now comprise mementoes of his life spent as an artist devoted to his craft.

As for the trestle picture, I admire it daily and consider it as a priceless memento of my days spent as Popper with a friend who was, indeed, my Bro.

Stay Humble.

Practice Patience (and Lots of It)

BY PAUL SEIPLE PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATT DOSS

Matt Doss grew up in Pelham, North Carolina, but has called Danville home for most of his life. After high school at Bartlett Yancey, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Averett University. Doss sings lead for local favorites, The League of Ordinary Gentlemen (LoOG).

Music has been part of Doss’s life since middle school. “The first performance that I vividly remember was a Christmas show in 5th grade. A choir sang as I danced around during a rendition of ‘Frosty the Snowman’ with a laminated construction-paper cutout of said snowman rubber banded to my wrists and waist,” Doss recalled. Not even a minute into the performance, the cutout folded over. “I spent the rest of the performance frantically (and awkwardly) trying to get the top half

of Frosty back in place. The audience was rolling with laughter, and I realized I might be on to something,” Doss continued.

Doss has always thought of music and singing as “close comforts.” He cites his mother as the person who introduced him to music. “When my sister and I were growing up, she was always singing, whether it be in church or in the car or at home.”

Doss’s father is a firm supporter of his music even though, “he can’t carry a tune in a bucket.”

His father is a huge inspiration to Doss. “If I could become half the man he is, I’d be doing alright. He’s one of the strongest, smartest, most selfless men I know, and

I would be nothing without his love and support.”

He also finds inspiration in those around him. “There’s so many people in this community who constantly inspire me to be a better person through hard work, patience, and support.”

Creativity is something Doss holds dearly. “I’m always writing a song lyric or two when they come to me. After a while, I can kind of piece them together like a puzzle and form a full song. I also write down all my dreams as soon as I wake up and sometimes, they make for a very interesting, if not confusing, read,” he added.

Doss is open to collaborating with anyone who shares the same energy and passion as he does. When asked about a dream collaboration, Doss said, “There are so many creative and talented people out there that I couldn’t possibly… Jack and Kyle Gass, definitely.”

Everyone has that one record to recommend to others. For Doss, it’s Simple Things by Zero 7. “It’s an electronica, down-tempo, very chill-out album that’s perfect for putting on in the background and relaxing. The lyrics and music are amazing and, personally, the album makes me recall a time in my life I’m very fond of,” he said.

As far as pre-show rituals, Doss has a few. “I change my socks before a show (credit to Cameron Owen for telling me this idea). It’s something about a fresh pair of socks that makes you feel… uh, well, I can’t think of the word, but it feels real good.” He also has a ritual with his band. “The LoOG starts a performance putting our hands together and everyone yelling something random on the count of three. And I mean RANDOM. Most of them, I can’t repeat in this article. But it really gets us energized and ready to go.”

If Doss wasn’t playing music, he would find still find a creative outlet. “Acting is another thing I’m passionate about. I just love entertaining people,” he said.

Doss has some sound advice for aspiring musicians. “Stay Humble. Practice patience (and a lot of it).” Not forgetting those who have supported you along the way is another important tidbit of advice from Doss. “But, most importantly, believe in yourself. I know it sounds cheesy and cliché, but it’s the absolute truth. You have to believe in yourself before anyone else can,” he added.

Doss has aspirations for the future. “The dreamer in me would love to say hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live, but, for the time being, I’m going to say doing what I’m passionate about and making people happy while I do it.”

Confessions of a 30 Something Reviving a Classic

BY LEE VOGLER PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER

Almost four years ago, Mayor Jones and I were discussing ways we could provide more positive outlets for the youth of our region. At some point, the conversation turned to the old Holiday Shootout basketball tournament that had been a staple in our community for many years before eventually falling by the wayside. We believed that it could be brought back and even better than before.

At first, there were many skeptics. “It costs too much”. “There’s no way to safely do it.” These were some barriers put in front of us that could have stopped this revival from happening. Fortunately, the Mayor and I put together a great team of dedicated folks that wouldn’t take no for an

The sellout crowds and social media buzz the tournament has accumulated in the years since speaks for itself, but there are smaller moments that really stand out to me. It’s watching the kids take free throws and three point attempts during breaks in the games for prizes. It’s the cheerleaders energizing a crowd of hundreds like only they can. And it’s the matchups that you can only see during this tournament. Teams that normally don’t face each other getting to square off for bragging rights. That’s what really makes this Harry Johnson Holiday Classic so special.

My son Kingston looks forward to attending for months leading up to the tournament. It has become a post-

Paws for a Cause

WRITTEN BY PAULETTE DEAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

Dear Santa,

My name is Buddy and I happen to be The Best Cockatoo Shelter Mascot in the World. And that’s just not my opinion; everyone knows it.

For the past 15 years, I have had such a happy life at the animal shelter. I stay on my cage, greeting visitors, demanding lunch treats, dancing, and eating the window frame every time someone moves my cage a little bit too close.

During this time, though, Santa, I have learned some things and I am writing to you to give you my wish list for presents. (I am being unselfish by not mentioning treats for myself, but if you have extra space in my bag, I sure do love toys; noisy stainless steel measuring spoons are the best! Back to my message…..)

The first present I wish you could give this holiday season is the gift of kind hearts and gentle hands to all humans. Your reindeer seem devoted to you, so I know you treat them very well. I have seen tens of thousands of animals that would have had a happy life if that had been on someone’s wish list years ago!

The second present on my list is a loving home for each animal. Is there any way at all that you could scoop up as many as possible and put them in your sleigh as you fly over? Please put rescuing dogs from chains, cats from living at dumpsters, and all the strays at the head of your list. I promise they will love keeping you company in your cozy home at the North Pole. It occurs

MEET ISABEL MEET ISABEL

This beautiful, sweet girl came to us as a stray. We believe she is about four-years old.

to me that you know where all the nice people live, as well as the naughty ones, so you can help them find new homes!

Finally, Santa, there are hundreds of thousands of animals spending the holidays in shelters. They are actually the lucky ones since they are being taken care of. I am sure that the shelters would love gifts of treats and toys for all kinds of animals.

I go to bed early, so please stop by the shelter as soon as you can on Christmas

Eve. And remember—I have been a very, very, very good boy. Anyone can tell you that.

DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY