Hoops for Hope benefit dominated by drivers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pit 10 professional athletes against 15 unfit media types in athletic competition and what do you get?

A blowout.

So went the inaugural M&Ms Hoops for Hope charity basketball game Thursday evening at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, in which host Elliott Sadler stole the show by scoring a game-high 15 points.

	Hermie Sadler, with daughter Halie Dru Credit: Lynne Lampinski, Turner Sports Interactive

Sadler, who was silently named the game's most proficient talent, led the driver/wrestler/executive vice president/NFL tight end squad over the Winston Cup media outfit, 57-38.

"This was a great time and an humbling experience," said Sadler of the event, which raised approximately $50,000. "To be able to come out, have some fun and raise money for autism is great.

"Hermie's daughter, Halie Dru, has autism, so this disease is very close to our family. Our family is very fortunate that we can afford special schooling. Some can't, so we wanted to use our influence and that of our friends to help out."

Speaking of offering assistance to those in need, someone should have offered a helping hand to the media team.

Despite several requests to former Detroit Pistons star and current host of The Best Damn Sports Show, Period, John Salley, the former NBA champion forward opted out, choosing instead to help coach the professional athletes.

Go figure.

The game included several humorous moments, including what appeared to be the first career basket for former Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip. Sadler stole the ball, drove down the lane and passed off to Waltrip, who banked it off the glass to the raucous applause of the estimated 1,000 folks in attendance.

	Elliott Sadler sits on the bench with Darrell Waltrip (center) and Dale Jarrett (right). Credit: Lynne Lampinski, Turner Sports Interactive

That was only the beginning. Midway through the second half, MRN Radio pit road reporter Danielle Frye caught a pass on the wing, right in front of the athletes' bench. Salley immediately began chastising her ability to shoot from the outside, saying he'd pay her $20 if she could make it.

She nailed it, then donated the winnings to the cause.

A bit later, FOX Sports Net reporter Sean Pragano stepped to the foul line to shoot a free throw. During his preparation to shoot, Hermie Sadler sneaked up behind him and promptly pulled his shorts down. Pragano missed the shot.

Of all the hysterical bloopers the game produced, those on the media team got the biggest chuckle out of a Curley Neal-esque, ball-around-the-back maneuver by ESPN.com's Rupen Fofaria.

Fofaria received the ball on a fastbreak and, seeing an opening, drove down the lane where an opposing player cut off his advance. In a desperate attempt to elude the defender, he swung the ball around his back.

It never quite made it to the other side, bouncing off his rear to the opposing team.

"That was a microcosm of the entire evening," Fofaria said. "We had the right idea, but it never really seemed to work out how we'd hoped. Me going around the back? That pretty much shows you how bad off we were."