The Cumberland High School Basketball Alumni Committee will hold its Fifth-Annual Alumni Basketball Reunion on December 1.

In addition to its four-game schedule, the school will induct its inaugural Hall of Fame class.

Cumberland High School alumni from the 1960s through the 2000s will be on hand to once again take on their former foes from the James River District.

The collection of JRD All-Stars share a storied basketball history with former Cumberland players, and all will have the chance to relive memories of some of the great battles from their high school years.

At “halftime”, the Cumberland Alumni Basketball Committee will induct the inaugural class of six honorees into the Cumberland High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

James Johnson (Coach)

James Johnson led Cumberland to three Group A State Championship titles (1978, 79, 81), along with 182 victories during his career at CHS.

Johnson, who also coached at Luther P. Jackson High School, won a total of 221 games during his tenure (1965-1981) with the Cumberland County School System.

Barbara Gammage (Sponsor)

Barbara Gammage sponsored the Cumberland High School cheerleaders for 26 years during her 31-year teaching career at Cumberland High School.

Additionally, she continues to sponsor CHS class reunions and is a vocal advocate for Cumberland County and its schools.

Betty Scales (Supporter)

Betty Scales led the Drill Team dancers for 15 years, and taught most of the athletes that came through the school during her 45-year teaching career.

She was a fixture at events as a supporter of her children, grandchildren and students at countless Cumberland basketball and other sporting events.

Curtis Gilliam, Ph.D.

(Lifetime Achievement)

Curtis Gilliam is a former Cumberland High School basketball player. He went on to a successful career as a biology professor at the University of Maryland-College Park for over ten years.

Dewayne Dennis (Legend)

Dewayne Dennis is Cumberland's all-time leading scorer, and served as team captain on the first two State Championship teams. He was the first Cumberland athlete to have his number retired.

Ivana Rich (Legend)

Ivana Rich is the school's first athlete to have her number retired in two sports (basketball and volleyball). While a standout on the basketball court, Rich found most of her success in volleyball.

She became the first CHS volleyball player to sign a Division I National Letter of Intent, and went on to set the career blocks record at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Additionally, Rich became the youngest volleyball head coach in the NCAA in 2011 when she took over the program at Virginia State University.

Admission and Registration

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for school-aged students. Children under age five are free with paid adult admission.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cumberland High School basketball program, and its current and future student-athletes.

For more information, please contact Ron Spears at 804-921-0304, or elkhill7@aol.com.

For anyone who wishes to play in the event, a $20 tax-deductible registration feel will be taken at the registration desk on December 1. Checks may be made payable to the Cumberland County Public Schools (CCPS) Blue and Gold Club.