One of the great names of West Virginia's rich history of basketball was on hand Wednesday morning at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum to get the first game of the day underway at the State Tournament.

The event turned 100 years old on Wednesday.

Lewis D'Antoni, who is the father of current LA Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni, was the man in charge of throwing up the ceremonial jump ball. Dan'Antoni is 99 years young.

D'Antoni was both a star athlete and outstanding coach for old Mullens High School - now a part of Wyoming East.

His 1955 Rebel squad won the state championship with future WVU star Willie Akers leading the way. Akers would later in life guide Logan High to four state titles. Akers is currently in a rehab facility in Atlanta following a fall at the Civic Center last month.

Mullens would also win several state basketball titles under the guidance of the great Don Nuckols.

One of the greatest performances ever at the State Tournament was turned in by Mullens Rebel Herbie Brooks, who scored what is still a record 50 points in 1983. Mullens won back-to-back crowns in 1983 and 1984 with Brooks and Company. Brooks went on to have a great career for WVU.

Besides Mike D'Antoni, who was a star player for Marshall, Lewis' son, Dan, is a Laker assistant. Dan, too, was a standout on the court at Marshall. Both are members of the school's Hall of Fame.

Lewis D'Antoni is a member of the West Virginia Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame.