In order to generate interest and excitement for the upcoming winter basketball season, the Lancer Lunatics and Athletic Department put on the second annual Lancer Madness event on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
The event kicked off with a tailgate at 6:30 p.m. where free corn dogs, cookies and drinks were provided by Aramark Dining Services. Also, a hired crew of DJ’s played music to keep the energy high.
Although people were not allowed into Willet Hall until 8 p.m., the line started forming as early as 6:40 p.m.. Slowly, the line grew and snaked its way around the building as the time for the event approached.
While people waited in line, they watched as limo after limo appeared, holding different men’s and women’s basketball players—the men’s players in suits, the women’s in dresses. Each group was greeted by a different theme song, finally ending with the delivery of both teams’ coaches.
Just before 8 p.m., students were allowed past the intimidating bouncer that guarded the doors. The head men’s basketball coach, Jayson Gee, greeted each student who passed him with a handshake.
Once everyone filed into the gym area, it went dark and MC Steve Robertson introduced this season’s men’s and women’s basketball roster with great enthusiasm.
Select members on both teams shared a prepared dance transitioning from waltz to tango to freestyle. This was followed by many other events such as the Hot Shot challenge, a time trial and a Dunk Contest.
The Hot Shot challenge involved four groups of shooters competing to receive a 250 dollar textbook scholarship, provided by the Lancer Lunatics.
Along with the basketball events, the crowd also watched performances by the Longwood cheerleaders, the Blue Heat dance team and the dance group FIERCE. Each group had their own prepared routine to entertain those in the bleachers, or standing opposite to the bleachers.
Throughout Lancer Madness, the members of both the men’s and women’s teams showed each other support and cheered each other on through the challenges.
During the Dunk Challenge, the women’s team joined the audience in supporting the four competing men’s players. In the end, sophomore Darrion Allen and junior Shaquille Johnson were the final players left standing.
Junior Shaquille Johnson tried to dunk over the head of redshirted junior Lotanna Nwogbo and eventually found success, after a few unsuccesful attempts.
Gee ended Lancer Madness by addressing the crowd to come support the team in their first exhibition match on Nov. 8 against the Division III school Hampden-Sydney at 5 p.m. in Willett Hall.
