- Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Jessica Myers (left), winner of the $50,000 half-court shot, is flanked by Tina Myers (right), Marketing Manager of KFC, Alf Remekie, national co-ordinator and KFC mascot Chickie at the National Stadium courts yesterday.
LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
RAIN might have put a damper on the KFC Three-point and Slam Dunk Hot Shots contest at the National Stadium courts yesterday but for Jessica Myers, the day could not have been better.
Myers, one of eight lucky patrons who was drawn for a half-court shot, unleashed a prayer from mid-court to win the $50,000 cash prize.
Myers, in an enthused fit, scrambled across the court, apparently overcome by disbelief and excitement, giving 'hi-fives' to everyone.
"I knew I would have made it (the shot)," said Myers who plays for the University of Technology.
Unfortunately for the other 'hot shots' in the contest, Myers was the only one to bag some money from the title sponsors, KFC, which were promoting their new hot shots value meal.
It began raining right before the finalists of the men's three-point shoot-out were to take to the court. Marlon Millis, Dwayne Harris, Owain Hall and Damon East will have to wait until the beginning of next season's National Basketball League (NBL) to vie for the $30,000 the winner pockets.
SLAM DUNK CONTEST
Likewise, the finalists in the slam dunk contest will have to wait until January, the scheduled start of the 2005 NBL season, to see who takes home the $25,000 cash prize.
Odile Richards entered the final with the most points, after collecting 47 out of a possible 50. Richards, blessed with amazing elevation and strength, executed three dunks to perfection. Christopher 'Sky' Walker, Rodney James, Andre Wilson, Dwayne Harris, Cadien Lawrence, Omar Palmer and Andrei Grant are the other finalists.
Four players in the KFC/ISSA High Schools' competition still have a chance for their tuition and book costs to be covered for a year by KFC. Andre Brown, Omar Barnes, Michael Rogers and Clayton Morgan will compete in the final of the three-point shoot-out at the beginning of the 2004-05 season which starts in October.
Christine Mitchell, Roxanne Haughton, Sasha Dixon and Oberon Pitterson qualified for the final of the women's shoot-out.
