Alumni game brings excitement, smiles

January 03, 2025

by Todd Brooks

Comanche alumni basketball players came out to take on the current high school teams on Dec. 28. Former Indian players included Josh Gibson, Blake Newton, Jaxon Billingsley, Xander Dodd, Tony West, Thomas Dobbins, Jay Weast, Hunter Lassley, J.J. Francis, Josh Foraker, Tanner Zumwalt, Chad Branch, Noah Henderson, Grant Martin, Jett Sparks and Brian Gay. Former Lady Indians’ players included Tiffiani Ellis, Jasmine Francis, Kylie Weast, Mandy Branch, Jacquelyn Rightmire, Ruslyn Ramsey, Caity Blair, Alyssa Willliams, Jessica Padgett, Kylie Weast, and Nicci Armstrong. Also pictured are former coach Dovie Weast, girls’ alumni coach Aaron Weast and alumni boys coach Heath Ellis.

Former Comanche basketball players received the opportunity to lace up their shoes and hit the Comanche High School gym floor once more as they took on the current high school team last Saturday.

While they were competitive games, it was an evening of fun for those playing and those watching from the stands. Other than game minutes, the game was played under high school regulations and had OSSAA referees.

It was a good turnout as Comanche fans of all ages showed up to watch the games. In somewhat of an unusual occurrence to most basketball games, fans were able to cheer for both sides when they scored.

The alumni game was the idea of Student Government Association sponsor Jack Francis who saw the Comanche alumni softball game earlier in the year.

The Lady Indian alumni included members ranging from the Class of 1998 to the Class of 2022. The Indian alumni had members ranging from the Class of 2002 to 2024.

The Lady Indian alumni jumped out to a 13-1 lead thanks to some hot three-point shooting before the Lady Indians fought back to take a 28-22 win.

“It was fun getting to play again after 22 years,” said Tiffani Ellis, Class of 2002 and the second-most senior member on the alumni team. “It was great to get out there on the floor with my daughter (freshman Raelee Ellis) and play for coach Aaron Weast one more time. Plus, I like to support community events.”

The Indian alumni came to win and they did just that, taking a 75-70 double-overtime victory over the high school team that was missing some players.

Boys alumni coach Heath Ellis put in the most senior players to start the game and the “old guys” held their own against the Indians. The younger alumni players were able to catch and pass the Indians before the current Indians tied the game late in regulation to send the game into overtime with the score knotted at 68. Both teams scored once in the first overtime before the alumni outscored the Indians 5-0 in the second overtime to win the game.

“It was a lot more challenging today than it was 20 years ago,” laughed Josh Foraker, Class of 2003. “It was a lot of fun though.”