Dom’s Game
November 30, 2018
A sea of pink filled the John A. Baldwin Center to the brim Friday night in a game that will be remembered not only for the come-from-behind, gutsy victory by the boys’ varsity basketball team, but as a tribute to the late Bishop Kenny junior Dominic Allmond. Allmond, a beloved teammate, warm presence and star point guard, died on August 24 in a tragedy that left the Bishop Kenny community grieving.
“[This week has] been a lot of nerves because we all wanna do this for him [Dominic], It’s all about him,” senior Jack Peeler, who scored the game-winning floater as time expired, said. “We are just excited to do it for him.”
Allmond’s legacy was commemorated with a brief speech about his contributions given by Mr. Yocum prior to the game, with the Crusaders wearing ‘DOM’ patches and both teams wearing ‘Allmond’ engraved t-shirts while facing the crowd right before tip-off. Also, T-shirts and bracelets were sold before the game in order to raise money for the Dominic Allmond Scholarship Fund. Allmond’s joyous presence was missed, but not forgotten by his teammates.
“He’d [Dominic] be proud,” Peeler said after the game. “He’s one of my closest friends [and] so this is all for him.”
Within the last minute of the fourth quarter, Ponte Vedra felt the game swinging their way as the Sharks held the ball and a two-point lead. Jerry Buckley, Head Coach of the Bishop Kenny Crusaders boys varsity basketball team and a 20-year coaching veteran, helped guide the team to the emotional victory.
“Tonight was different with Dominic and a lot of memories of him,” Coach Buckley said. “We’re trying to stay together the best we can.”
Once the clock struck zero and the winning shot was made after a highly contested game, the sea of pink traveled down the bleachers and onto the court to congratulate the team with immense exhilaration.
“We liked that last play,” Coach Buckley said. “I [feel] relieved and excited for the future,” Coach Buckley said.
With a nearly-full arena and a fervent fanbase, the Bishop Kenny community showed that the heart and presence of Dominic Allmond would continue on now and forever.
