I had no idea about the North Carolina vs. South Carolina legislative basketball game tradition until last week, but the photos circulating on X from the game in 2013 are absolutely astounding.
Court of Appeals judge Tom Murry, who played on the team as a state representative, reports that North Carolina won by eight points, with then-representative, later-Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson leading the scoring. There’s even a highlight video.
I love things like this. An autographed, game-worn NCGA jersey has to be a collector’s item, and I would pay an unreasonable amount of money for one. If you have one sitting in a closet, please get in touch.
I’m not sure when the tradition started, but the rivalry continued at least through 2015, when South Carolina beat North Carolina 66–63 in Columbia.
Sen. Benton Sawrey has the right idea. Bring the game back.
Naturally, I’ve taken the liberty of assembling the roster. Current members of the General Assembly are eligible, along with the Council of State.
The starting five
I’m building this team around Rep. Charles Smith. The Cumberland County Democrat was a 6-foot-5 forward at Emory & Henry, and a two-time team MVP at Fayetteville Academy (he’s now in the school’s athletic Hall of Fame).
That’s our franchise player. Smith starts at center, though I’m viewing him more as a point-forward. Everybody else’s first job is to get him the ball.
Sawrey gets the start at point guard. Since the Johnston County senator is advocating for the game’s return, he gets the ball and the responsibility that comes with it.
Rep. Jennifer Balkcom is my shooting guard. The Henderson County representative played basketball at East Henderson High School, along with volleyball and softball, and ran track. Even if she wins her race for U.S. Congress next month, I still consider her eligible to play.
Rep. Allen Buansi starts at small forward. The Orange County representative was a 5-foot-11 wide receiver at Dartmouth. He may be undersized for a traditional basketball team, but the stakes are lower (pun intended) in legislative basketball. And you can’t teach athleticism. He gets South Carolina’s toughest perimeter assignment.
Sen. Danny Britt gets the starting power-forward spot. The Robeson County senator played football at Appalachian State, so I’m asking him to set screens and rebound, with the understanding that basketball officials may have a different interpretation of an acceptable block.
On the bench
That gives us a starting five. On the bench, Gov. Josh Stein returns as our veteran and honorary captain. Thirteen years have passed since those photos were taken, so we’ll give him shorter shifts this time.
Destin Hall should be one of the first players off the bench. The House speaker was a soccer goalkeeper and third baseman at West Caldwell. I’m betting some of those reflexes carry over. He can also work the officials, although being speaker should not entitle him to extra free throws.
Dante Pittman gets a place in the rotation, too. He represents Wilson and Nash counties and serves in the North Carolina Army National Guard. I’m taking a chance on him as another perimeter option.
Reps. Jonathan Almond and Brian Echevarria round out the roster, giving Cabarrus County two seats on the bench. I’m not sure if Echevarria has game, but at least his sons do. His oldest is an edge rusher and youngest is a quarterback. I’m hoping they got some of that from Dad.
State Auditor Dave Boliek is the coach. He led a church league basketball program in Fayetteville, which seems like useful preparation for this assignment. An auditor should have plenty to say about wasted possessions, too.
We’ll also need Reps. Grant Campbell and Tim Reeder on standby courtside. Campbell is a physician who served in the Army, and Reeder practices emergency medicine at ECU. With this much enthusiasm and this many years since high school, having two doctors available seems like the responsible decision.
Now somebody needs to call South Carolina and find a date. I would happily watch this team try to turn all that legislative experience into a functioning offense, and I suspect plenty of other North Carolinians would, too.
When it’s over, put the signed jerseys up for auction. I’ll be bidding.
At a premium
Question of the week
I’m still working through the Trusting News fellowship, and I’m thrilled with the response to my mission video. There’s a new survey out as a part of it. Would you consider taking it?
And thank you if you did the first one, as well. This new one is shorter.