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April 22, 2004 Princess Anne, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore had two if its top seniors receive even more honors this season. After being named All-MEAC performers in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the two hoopsters have both been asked to play in post-season all-star games. Tee Trotter and Tiffany Winkfield will both be taking part in the Black College All-Star Game in Atlanta, GA from Thursday, April 23 through Sunday April 26. The event, to take place on the campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta will feature many exciting events beyond the game. On Friday the athletes will be treated to a cook-out, radio interviews, autograph signing sessions, and appearances by musical artists such as Lil' Scrappy and Nivea. The game and court contests take place on Saturday, beginning with slam-dunk, three-point, and free throw contests followed by the Ladies game at 5:00 and the men's shortly thereafter. Representatives from most Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will be present as Florida A & M, Coppin State, and UMES will represent the MEAC. Other Division I institutions represented will include Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) schools, Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A & M, Jackson State University, and Alabama A & M Universities. The World Basketball Association Foundation (WBA), a brand new professional men's league that will begin play on April 29, 2004, sponsors the event. Leroy McMath, President of the WBA spoke of his league's All-Star Game. "This is a much needed event that will showcase the top 24 men and top 24 women athletes attending [HBCUs] across the country that are members of the SIAC, CIAA, SWAC, MEAC, EIAC, and other independent black schools. Historically Black College basketball players have been over-looked when it comes to traditional college all-star games, the WBA Foundation is taking the opportunity to provide an outlet to make this a consistent reality." One of the highlights for Trotter will the World Basketball Association's first ever draft on Sunday at 2:00 pm where he is expected to be a high pick. Although the season begins shortly thereafter, Trotter will be leaving Atlanta for Cleveland, where he will play in another All-Star game. This one, "The Black College All-Star Game and Celebrity Extravaganza," will be played in the Gund Arena, home of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The game, for the top 20 male HBCU players in the country, is sponsored by the Ohio Classic. That is the same organization that sponsors the football game of the same name between two HBCUs every year in the Ohio area. Co-chairs, Vivica A. Fox and Kym E. Whitley, stars of motion pictures, host this particular event. Whitley has appeared in Next Friday while Fox, most recently in Kill Bill. The game, played in front of NBA and European league scouts will begin at approximately 7:30 pm, after three previous games. A Greater Cleveland Girls High School All-Star game will open the event at 1:00 pm, followed by a Greater Cleveland Boys High School Game. After those two games, KYM WHITLEY'S CELEBRITY ALL-STAR GAME will debut at 5:30 pm. The event will feature celebrity appearance by Allen Iverson, Ervin "Magic" Johnson, Moses Malone, Spud Webb, Kevin Willis, Mo'Nique with the cast of the Parkers and more. "I am excited to have these opportunities," said Trotter, who will find work playing basketball. "This is a great chance to showcase my talent, represent UMES, and hopefully play my way into a league here or overseas," he added. Tiffany Winkfield seconded his opinion. "I think it is great that I can play in a game like this, I hope to play professionally, but either way it is a great experience to participate in their game, represent the Lady Hawks, and be rewarded for four years of collegiate competition." Winkfield, a 6'1 senior forward from Watts, CA is the only player in the MEAC this season to average a double double. She averaged 14.6 points per game and 10.9 rebounds per game in the 2003-2004 campaign. She recorded 16 double doubles in 27 games this season. Winkfield played two season in the maroon and gray after transferring form Compton Community College. Trotter, who is the school's all-time Division I scorer and second-all time with 1,923 points averaged 19.9 points per game in MEAC contests, 19.3 overall. The 5'11, 180 pound senior guard from Las Cruces, NM was a candidate for the Francis Pomery Naismith Award (best player in the country under six feet), and ranks in the top ten all time in the MEAC in scoring. He was a four-year starter at UMES and averaged 17.8 points per game for his career.
See the games offical websites here: Atlanta's Black College All-Stars
Cleveland's Black College All-Star Game & Celebrity Extravaganza
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