Hardwood Homecoming: Northpoint alumni return to the court for St. Jude
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – The gym at Northpoint Christian School echoed with familiar whistles and sneakers hitting the Manley Court floor recently, but the roster looked a little different than usual. In a special event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Monday, Dec. 29, current Northpoint players teamed up with and competed against some legends of the program’s past.
Since 2012, the Northpoint/Southern Baptist Education Center (SBEC) program has been a powerhouse in the TSSAA Division II-A circuit, making eight state tournament appearances, claiming two state titles, and finishing as runners-up twice. In total, the program has reached the Tennessee state tournament ten times.
In keeping with the spirit of the cause, no admission was charged at the door. Instead, the event relied on the generosity of the community, with all donations collected from spectators going directly to support the life-saving mission of St. Jude.
From the Locker Room to the Clinic
For many returning players, the event was a chance to reflect on how their time on the court shaped their lives. Karlee (Russom) Hopkins, a member of the class of 2013—the final graduating class under the SBEC name—traveled all the way from Phoenix, Arizona, to participate.
“I remember the two-a-days with Coach (Barry) Gray before and after school,” Hopkins laughed, recalling the grueling practice schedule. Now a physical therapist, she credits those tough sessions with her professional success. “A lot of the discipline that Coach Gray instilled in all of us got me through college and PT school.”
While the training was intense, Hopkins noted that the bond with her teammates was the true takeaway. “The biggest thing I remember is just the fellowship and the community with the girls in the locker room. Those are the memories that will last forever.”
Passing the Torch
For Hannah (Shafer) Suarez, who played from 2013 to 2017, the game was a natural extension of her current role at the school. Suarez has remained a fixture in the Northpoint community, coaching the sixth-grade girls’ basketball team.
“Since I’ve been coaching the girls, it’s made me really miss playing here,” Suarez said. “Whenever I was invited to the alumni game, I knew this was my chance to play again. I even invited some of my fifth-grade players to come watch.”
Suarez finds herself channeling her former coach whenever she steps on the sidelines. “I find myself repeating a lot of things Coach Gray would say—the technical skills, how important it is to play as a team and be smart on the court. I’ll say something and think, ‘Oh, Coach Gray would say that.'”
A Legacy of Faith and Effort
Beyond the wins and losses, both alumni emphasized that the program taught them a work ethic rooted in something deeper. Suarez recalled the pre-game moments in the locker room as a time of unity. “No matter how the game went, we knew we had each other’s backs. The reason we were playing was to glorify God.”
With a strong turnout and a shared mission to support St. Jude, Gray said he expects this alumni game to become an annual tradition, ensuring that the legacy of SBEC and Northpoint basketball continues to give back to the community.
