It's 'Jam the Gym' time
January 23, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

It’s “Jam the Gym” time tonight for the Greenville Lady Lions and the Greenville Christian School Eagles and Lady Eagles.

The 10-10 Lady Lions will entertain the 17-8 Highland Park Scots at about 7:20 p.m. in the Lions Den. The doubleheader starts at 6 p.m. with the junior varsity contest.

Greenville Christian School will entertain Rockwall Christian in district action starting at 5 p.m. with the junior varsity boys followed by the varsity girls at about 6:30 and the varsity boys at about 8.

“Jam the Gym” is a local basketball promotion started in 1985 by Greenville basketball enthusiast Charles Hunnicutt. The purpose of the promotion is simple: fill the stands for that particular game.

Some of the “Jam the Gym” games in Greenville in the past have been classics, topped off by the Lions’ 64-61 victory in double overtime over South Garland in 1988. A crowd estimated at 2,200 watched Willie Brigham win that game for the Lions with a 26-footer at the buzzer.

The Lady Lions need a win over Highland Park to stay in the running for one of four playoff spots in District 10-4A. The Lady Lions currently rank fourth with a 4-4 district record after downing Rockwall-Heath 59-49 on Tuesday night to complete a sweep over the Lady Hawks. Olivia Carter was the Lady Lions’ top gun in that game with 25 points while Rocio Medrano fired in 22 and Jessica Franklin added 11.

Highland Park is 5-3 in district play after beating Newman Smith of Carrollton 51-45 on Tuesday night. Stephanie Dekkers led the way for Highland Park with 19 points.

Highland Park has beaten the Lady Lions once in district play, taking a 53-48 decision at University Park on Dec. 12. Hartley Hobson topped the Scots in that game with 14 points, while Dabney Rice and Katherine Krause both added 10 points.

Carter led the Lady Lions with 14 points and Medrano added 10.