How Coreontae DeBerry, Return 2 the Dome kept the Holland tradition of stars giving back

HOLLAND - On the surface, it seemed like a fun event - and the first year proved it.

But in it's second year, the Return 2 the Dome became much more special. It's now the start of a tradition.

The Saturday event, organized by Holland High School graduate Coreontae DeBerry was designed to bring pro and alumni basketball to the Dutch Dome, but also to raise money for the Holland athletic department.

The event featured a pro game between DeBerry's Cincinnati Warriors and a reincarnate of the Holland Blast, who won 126-123, then an alumni game between West Ottawa and Zeeland West, followed by the Holland-Holland Christian alumni game.

"It is good being back and going against old rivalries. We enjoyed this one and we will see what we want to do next. I might do more of a tournament the next time. We'll see," DeBerry said. "I started everything last year to show that I could bring guys here. This one was about bringing real players to Holland. Now that I know I can do that, we can do something way bigger. But it is trying to make Holland a basketball city again."

From a basketball standpoint, fans got to see DeBerry as well as former local stars Kyle Steigenga, Demetrius Lake, Tyler Smith and GVSU's Deleon Brown in the pro game. Jake VanTubbergen was in the dome as well, but on the sidelines after undergoing ankle surgery.

"To come out here and play and have the generations of alumni was a lot of fun," Steigenga said. "Being able to renew the rivalry was a lot of fun. It has always been a really great rivalry."

The alumni games also saw a slew of former stars, like Lake, Steigenga, Jorddan Myrick, Luke Dreyer, Corey Willis, Spencer Gugino, Kevin Ludwig, Taylor DeRoo, Eli Steffen - and a trio of Overways and VanHekkens.

Zeeland West defeated West Ottawa 86-82 in overtime.

In the Holland-Holland Christian game, fans got to see DeBerry and Jalen Overway, two of the best big men in area history, go head-to-head. Overway and Steigenga got to play together. DeBerry and Lake got to play together.

"Jaden is a great player and a student of the game. He is doing a great job at Calvin and I wanted him and Kyle to come back for this," DeBerry said.

Willis, who played football at CMU, nailed a buzzer-beater from near halfcourt at the end of the third quarter, putting the Dutch up two, but the Maroons hung on to win 78-72.

The event connected generations of players. Even original Holland Blast player Duane Bosma was on the court, as one of the referees.

Never has so much local talent been on one floor in one event with fans seeing glimpses of former all-state and college stars. Steigenga is the all-time collegiate scoring leader in the history of the state of Michigan. Lake was a three-time all-state guard for the Dutch. Both have played professionally.

But as entertaining as the basketball was - and it was entertaining - the most important part is the symbol of what DeBerry has created.

Sure, he created a fun event. But he has created a platform to give back to his alma mater.

"All the communities came out - West Ottawa, Zeeland, Holland and Holland Christian," Lake said. "We are all in the same area. Coreontae is a great guy with great character. I am proud of him for putting this together. It was good to see the communities come out and enjoy this moment, because these types of things don't last forever."

DeBerry has followed in the footsteps of other local legends who have given back.

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Kaat, of Zeeland, has returned numerous times to the Little League field named in his honor, always willing to give back.

NFL starting quarterback Kirk Cousins hosted a youth football camp in Holland for several years, and donates to several local groups.

More: Former stars shine again in alumni charity game featuring three local schools

In hockey, NHL player Luke Witkowski has been back in Holland for camps.

DeBerry, who still plays professionally in the U.S. and abroad, has added to that tradition big time, even donating some of his own money to the winner of the alumni games, in addition to the money raised for Holland athletics by the ticket sales.

Between this quartet and the rise of Tulip City United in soccer, the major sports have local stars to look up to - and show how to use their platform to give back.

That is a tremendous legacy to the community. It's sports heroes are not just icons, they are here supporting the community in person - an incredible legacy to pass on to the next generation.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Coreontae DeBerry, Return 2 the Dome kept the Holland tradition alive