“The Gene Lowe Game”

The Gene Lowe 12^th Region Junior All-Star Game

Pulaski County, Kentucky
June 17, 2003

©2003 by Ron Harrison

Tribute to Gene Lowe

Tonight’s game is being held in memory of Gene Lowe, a great friend to 12^th Region basketball and its family. Gene Lowe supported basketball in the 12^th Region for over 40 years as a referee, an avid fan, and a sporting goods businessman. He officiated high school basketball from 1958-1974 and called several Regional Final games.

Gene Lowe knew everyone and everyone knew Gene Lowe. Gene Lowe liked everyone and everyone liked Gene Lowe. Gene Lowe was the kind of man who, on your worst day, could talk to you for five minutes and everything would be OK.

Gene Lowe helped advance the careers of many, many coaches because he was always, always saying something good about someone. Gene Lowe was a father figure to the coaching fraternity and he will forever be remembered for his love of the game of basketball.

Following the tribute, the Lowe family was asked to come forward and accept a presentation from the 12^th Region Boys Basketball Association.

Honorary North Coach:	Jack Upchurch
Honorary South Coach:	Wade Upchurch
Honorary Ball Boys:	Zack Smith
	Eric Wright
	Chase Smith
Honorary Referees:	Jeff Singleton (Stanford)
	Keith Morgan (London)
	Jimmy Dyehouse (Crab Orchard)
Honorary Cheerleader Coach North:	Ann Upchurch
	Jenny Upchurch
Honorary Cheerleader Coach South:	Panesia Humble
Honorary Cheerleaders:	Lisa Smith
	Lisa Wright
	Lisa Naylor
	Sherrie Tucker
	Gerrye Lynn Randall
	Lynn Burkett

• Statistics were provided for the media
• The referees received plaques
• The head coaches received plaques
• The honorary coaches received plaques
• The head cheerleaders received roses
• The players received one T-shirt that was sponsored by the coaches association and a second T-shirt that was donated by Lowe’s Sporting Goods
• The players were also treated to pizza after the game by the coaches association
• A hospitality room was provided by the coaches association for the coaches, their wives, and the media
• The game was televised by Channel 8 in Somerset and replayed by the access channel out of Corbin

TV Ad

• Tonight's game is co-sponsored by: Subway of Mt. Vernon and Godfather’s Pizza of Mt. Vernon – Danny Settles/Jerry Pensol, prop.
• School rates and discounts
• For team rates for the 2003-2004 season call Subway at 606-256-1083 and Godfather’s at 606-256-5079
• Also sponsored by Backyard Burgers of Somerset – Barry Dalton, prop.

Contest Winners

Dunk Contest – Ben Carter (Danville)

Three Point Contest – Coy Lucas (Garrard County)

The Gene Lowe 12^th Region Junior All-Star Game

South 99 North 82

South	27	25	23	24	-	99
North	11	21	33	17	-	82

South	(99)	-	Green 16, Cross 8, Frost 10, Thompson 4, Megargel 2, Givens 19, Bristin 12, McClure 0, Martin 8.
North	(82)	-	Carter 7, Dunn 6, Bartelson 0, Vonckx 0, Jones 9, Bottom 8, Harris 9, Lucas 10, Lavell 11, Vest 8, Wadkins 7, Norman 4, Hart 12.

Coaches - South (Shawn Thacker) and North (Craig Pippen)

Acknowledgements

This tribute was sent to me by a gentleman who prefers to remain anonymous and requested that I post it on my site. A man is said to be measured by his friends and how he touches the lives of others. Hopefully this will bring comfort to the many who loved Mr. Lowe.

Please send your comments and questions to Ron Harrison at prephoops@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.angelfire.com/ky/prephoops.