PORT ARANSAS, Texas — South Jetty news editor Dan Parker had a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day that eventually benefited Port Aransas High School.
Parker stopped reporting long enough to sink a halfcourt shot in Doyle Marek Gym during halftime of the Port Aransas Marlins' game against the Three Rivers Bulldogs on Feb. 14.
At most Port Aransas home games, raffle tickets are sold for a chance to shoot the halfcourt shot as part of the school's game presentation. The raffle winner gets to take a shot and if it goes in, the prize is $100. Proceeds from the raffle benefit Project Graduation, an all-night lock-in part for PAHS seniors on their graduation night.
After making the shot, Parker chose to donate his winnings back to Project Graduation.
"The thrill of making that shot was payment enough for me," he said. "I decided to give the $100 prize back to Project Graduation because it’s such a worthy cause, providing our community’s senior class with a fun and safe experience on graduation night.”
According to observers at the school, Parker is the only person who has made the halfcourt shot since the raffle began several years ago.
The Marlins ended up beating the Bulldogs, and the Port Aransas boys now are headed into the playoffs.
And the person standing in the background of the video is Rob Phillips, a Port Aransas resident who was emceeing the event.
