(Baltimore) The stands were rocking last night for what turned out to be an excellent display of skill and determination, as stars from OurCampaigns put on a great basketball game for the local fans.
The event was organized by Dave Jones, Vice Presidential nominee of the Abolition Party, with funds to go to the families of those who died in the March 6, 2004, water taxi accident in Baltimore Harbor.
Things started with a welcoming speech by former Maryland Governor William Donald Schaeffer. He asked if the Walker-Jones team were running as Democrats. When informed they were not, he put away his insult laden speech, and pulled out a complimentary one.
Next, Thomas Walker came out to the newly designated official song for his campaign, the theme from 2001 A Space Odyssey (anyone who has seen Ric Flair wrestle will know the tune). Other songs under consideration were : Lift Every Voice and Sing (James Weldon Johnson), Fight The Powers That Be (Public Enemy), Hands Across America (a forgotten song for forgotten Americans), and Ringo Starr's "Wrack My Brain", Walkers personal favorite. Many feel a song was selected in response to Likud Party candidate John Haring having picked an official song earlier in the week.
Representing "The Independents" were: Thomas Walker, Dave Jones, Darryl Dawkins, Slammin' Sam Lacey (Walker's childhood favorite) and Sean Elliott (who was there to support fellow transplant recipient Walker).
Representing "The Establishment" were: Scott Mattson, Bob Heaney, Matthew Easton, former Democratic Congressman from Maryland, Tom McMillan, and former NBA star and Republican, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe.
Someone suggested the possibility of a Donkey Ball game, but felt it would give an unfair advantage to Heaney, Easton and McMillan.
The game was constant back and forth pandemonium. With just 20 seconds left, Walker tied the game with a basket (after 18 missed shots earlier in the game). The establishment responded with a flurry of passes between Mattson, Heaney, Easton, McMillan and Monroe. At first it was hard to tell who made the shot, for they moved so fluidly. Two points down with 5 seconds to go, Jones launched the ball to Dawkins, who slammed the ball for a basket right at the buzzer. Any sort of overtime was out of the question, as Dawkins shattered the backboard, resulting in a 100-100 tie.
The final totals for The Independents were: Dawkins 41 points, Jones 27 points, Lacey 18 points, Elliott 12 points, Walker 2 points.
The final totals for The Establishment was a surprisingly even showing, as Mattson, Heaney, Easton, McMillan and Monroe each had 20 points.
Dave Jones was named player of the game for The Independents, while the honor was split five ways by The Establishment team.
All in all, it was viewed as a successful opening of the Abolition ticket campaign in Maryland.
