Four years ago, Morgan State University hired Todd Bozeman to be their head men's basketball coach. Bozeman went to St. Frances and successfully recruited Reggie Holmes and immediately told everyone that Holmes would, one day, be the all-time leading scorer for the Bears. Either Todd Bozeman is a profit, or he saw something in the young Cherry Hill prospect that would make for special memories in East Baltimore.

 

On Thursday, March 4, 2010, Reggie Holmes surpassed Marvin "The Eraser" Webster as the Bears all-time leading scorer. He did it on senior night in front of a capacity crowd that included his Cherry Hill family, Sam Cassell, and against crosstown rivals Coppin State. It was truly a night to remember, not only for Holmes and his family, but for all who have watched this young man grow over the past four-years.

 

Frankly, I feel fortunate to say I was there to see a record, that had stood for 30-years, fall. This wasn't about passing Webster in the Morgan record books. This was about a program that has been looking to build a new tradition for decades. This was about a coach building his own legacy with players who have the ability to do special things. This was about a fan base that has been faithful, and who deserve to see good things happen in their own backyard. This was about a young man, who decided to stay home so that he could do all of this in front of friends and family.

 

To know Reggie Holmes, you had to have been there before the game began. When the four seniors, Troy Smith, John Long, Buford Foote, and Holmes were announced, you could feel the connection between them and the Bear faithful. But when Holmes was announced, it was electric. Holmes did not want to absorb the moment by himself. In typical fashion for number 11, he wanted his friends and family in the photo with him. He immediately waived his teammates to center court with him to enjoy the experience with him.

 

That's Reggie Holmes. If you haven't taken this ride with him, you wouldn't know that. He's not done yet. Holmes and the Bears travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. for the MEAC Tournament with their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line. Holmes is hungry, and as Cassell said Wednesday, could benefit from more "eyes" seeing him on such a big stage. Cassell also said that he's telling the Washington Wizards' scouts to take a long look at Holmes. Stay tuned.

 

Rob Long