There was another memorable reunion on the hardwood Aug. 7 of local teams from a bygone era during the second annual Old School Classic at Lakeland High School.

Many of the former high school stars were from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and some traveled from as far as Philadelphia, Miami and the Midwest to play.

“I did not think that we could have exceeded last year’s activities of fun and entertainment, and we did just that,” Lakeland boys’ basketball coach Clint Wright said. “So, I am well pleased with the outcome, and I think any time you marry reunion and basketball together, I think you get a great combination of excitement.”

About 1,300 people attended, similar to the number that came out in 2014. But they filled the Lakeland gym to capacity more quickly this year, leaving some on the outside trying to get in.

“They did it in the rain,” he said. “That’s something else that says a whole lot about the city of Suffolk and how Suffolk supports Suffolk.”

The Old School Classic is a fundraiser for the Lakeland boys’ basketball program. After expenses were paid, the program made around $2,200, Wright said.

The first game of the Classic pitted Surry County High School against Franklin High School.

“I was so elated to see that game go down to the last nine seconds,” Wright said. “You could not have asked for a better start-up script to capture everyone’s attention.”

Franklin ended up getting the win, 41-39, avenging last year’s loss to Surry County.

Wright and fellow former players from John Yeates High School took the court next for a rematch against John F. Kennedy High School.

“I, myself, just got caught up in seeing the Bobby Goodmans and the Daylee Warrens and then Tim Daughtry, who is a referee, playing the game of basketball,” Wright said. “Even though they were our opponents, it was just so great to be on the floor playing with people that you know and you love.”

Daylee Warren said he has been watching Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach do annual reunions for the last 15 to 20 years.

“To see Suffolk, my hometown, finally catch up to speed, it’s amazing,” he said.

This was Warren’s second year in the Classic, but it was the first for some, like John Yeates alum Marcus Blanks, who came all the way from Philadelphia.

“It was a major lift, personally, to be able to get back home and not only participate in the Old School Classic, but to see so many of the people that I haven’t seen in years,” Blanks said.

He added, “At my age of 48 now, to still be able to get out here and play with the guys and compete and have fun — it is just a great inspiration to not only us adults, but to show the younger generation how we do it, still paving the way for them.”

Both Warren and Blanks plan to be back next year.

“And I plan on being in top shape for the next time,” Blanks said.

While John F. Kennedy won in 2014, John Yeates came out on top in 2015, 48-40.

Suffolk High School and Forest Glen High School closed out the night with what Wright described as “another physical confrontation, very energetic — the fanfare was like old times.”

Former cheerleaders were in the stands, and Suffolk’s Tony Smith and Forest Glen’s Lamont Strothers helped lead their teams in a close game that Wright said was won at the free throw line in the waning moments.

Suffolk followed up last year’s win with a 48-43 victory this year.

The Old School Classic shows signs of growing in the future. Wright said Sussex Central High School and Smithfield High School players have expressed a desire to participate.