Lewis-Alston remembered in halftime ceremony

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 6, 2014 1:49 PM

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Soft spoken.

Easy going.

A credit to their families, school and community.

The late Warren Alston and Barney Lewis left a legacy for future youngsters to emulate in the tradition-rich Goldsboro High basketball program. Their heart-breaking story came to life Tuesday evening during a ceremony recognizing them for their remarkable achievements at historic Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium.

Alston and Lewis each signed a scholarship with the University of Evansville, but their collegiate careers ended tragically on Dec. 13, 1977. The twin-engine plane that transported the Aces' basketball team crashed shortly after takeoff from Evansville Regional Airport.

The team was en route to Middle Tennessee State University.

None of the 26 people aboard survived the crash.

"When I told (Goldsboro AD) Mr. (Ray) Lippert about the story of Warren and Barney and how we've never really memorialized them in any way, he was ready to make this night a reality," said Anjanette Reid, a Goldsboro High alum.

"Tonight, we honor and pay tribute to these two young men who once played in this very gym."

The school's administration, booster club and community members put together the short celebration to honor Lewis and Alston during halftime of the Goldsboro-Kinston boys' contest. Teammates from the 1977 squad were in attendance along with the players' families, and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The sixth of eight children in his family, Alston was a standout baseball player, also. Two classmates, Ronnie Holloway and Donald Atkinson, encouraged convinced him to play basketball.

Alston excelled and played in the prestigious N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star game during his senior year. He earned All-American accolades from Street and Smith magazine.

"This is something we've really been looking forward to and it's just a blessing to see this happen tonight," said Fletcher Cobb, brother of Alston. "We're honoring these young men because they were great players and we feel like there are a lot of great players who have played (here) that need to have the same honor. We're going to try to do everything we can to make that possible."

Lewis was an all-around student. A member of the school's touring choir and active in the senior class, Lewis garnered all-Mideastern Athletic Conference honors during his final year in a Cougar uniform.

A member of the First African Baptist Church, Lewis served in youth fellowship, the Boy Scouts, youth choir and the youth missionary department.

"It's a privilege to be here this evening and it just warms my heart that the community and Goldsboro High, in particular, has taken this time to honor Barney and Warren," said Lewis' sister, Cheryl Alston. "We thank you, we thank you, we thank you."

The families walked to center court and smiled proudly when banners honoring Alston and Lewis were unveiled before the standing-room-only crowd. They'll hang at the far end of the gymnasium.

The "Weeping Basketball" memorial was constructed at the University of Evansville after the crash. The names of those who lost their lives are engraved on stone slabs along with a excerpt from the eulogy delivered by school president William Graves, who said "out of the agony of this hour we will rise."

Just 10 days ago, the university unveiled the 1977 Aces Basketball Memorial Wall inside the Ford Center where the team plays its home games. The display spans an entire wall and features pictures of the players and coaches who died, along with newspaper headlines and reactions to the crash.