Rollin' toward a goal: Fundraiser is a success

The scene at the Webb School gymnasium was uplifting, heartwarming, inspiring -- and hilarious. Hundreds turned out for the first Heritage Medical Center Rollin' Round Robin Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament and got to see some of the country's top teams take each other on for the tourney title.

The crowd also got to see some local folks try their hands at the challenging sport. "Try" is the operative word here.

"The exhibition game was one of the highlights," said the event's coordinator, Bell Buckle first lady Carla Webb. "The University of Alabama men's team played an assortment of dignitaries, athletes, doctors -- and even the state Poet Laureate."

Maggi Vaughn, the poet in question, was granted a handicap. She got to be chauffeured around the floor with someone else pushing her chair while she handled the basketball. Or she would have if she'd gotten hold of it.

The first string for the home team included Sate Sen. Jim Tracy, captain; State Rep. Pat Marsh, co-captain; Bell Buckle Mayor Dennis Webb, water boy; Kenny Parker, Cascade football coach; Charlie Pope, Cascade boys' basketball coach; Chad Spencer, Cascade girls' basketball coach; Brandon Bassham, Cascade baseball coach; Ralph Edwards, Cascade softball coach; Jeff Mitchell, Webb School athletic director; Kyle Greene, Webb School math teacher; Joe Iorio, assistant head of school and business manager; and Cory Hartbarger, the 82-year-old former athletic director at Webb and National Senior Olympics competitor.

At one point, the University of Alabama pulled all but one player off of the court. Jared Arambula (Carla Webb's nephew) took on five exhibition players at one time -- and still rolled circles around them. He even handed the ball to his opponent a couple of times to try and help them make a shot.

"After the whole exhibition team of 13 were worn out from their 15 minutes, members of the Webb School JV basketball team, people in the audience and even Maggie Vaughn, the Poet Laureate were drafted to come and finish the last 15-minute half," said Carla. "It was hilarious!"

Of course, the main attractions for the all-day fundraiser for the Bell Buckle Park Board were the competitive matches between the University of Alabama's Rolling Crimson Tide men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams and competition teams from The Shepherd Center of Atlanta, Ga., and The Lakeshore Foundation of Birmingham, Ala.

The Rollin' Round Robin raised a net profit of more than $5,600, said Carla. The funds will be used to build a public basketball court at the Bell Buckle Park on Peacock Street.

"I am thrilled," she said. "I think this is the first first-time event we've ever had that raised this much."

Carla said she expects the Bell Buckle Park Board will break ground for the new basketball court as soon as this spring.

The Webb School supported the event wholeheartedly, she said. Members of PAWS (Parents of Athletes at Webb School) volunteered to work concessions and donated a percentage of sales to the Bell Buckle Park Board's cause. Several Webb students assisted with various aspects of the event and the school donated the use of its facilities. The winner of the $1,000 cash 50/50 drawing "Shoot the hoop" contest, Webb student Hayden Cliche and his mother, Cindy, also contributed one-half of their winnings ($250) to the Bell Buckle Park Board.

"I cannot thank The Webb School, and the entire community, enough," said Carla Webb.