12-18-2007                                                                                       

                                                                                                        Contact: Kent McGinnis

  Hm(913) 599-6493   Cell (913) 244-7573

         kent.mcginnis@countryfinancial.com

Youth basketball teammates in KC enjoy rival: Mizzou vs. IlliniI

KANSAS CITY

Dylan Downing(1^st grade)-of Lenexa, KS, son of Dr. Kenneth & Kris Downing (MU Alumni & football All-American-1970s) and Mason McGinnis (2^nd grade)-of Lenexa, KS, son of Kent & Margo McGinnis.  Boys are best friends and teammates for the past few years for "Top Dogs" 2^nd grade youth basketball team coached by McGinnis and Downing.

Both boys loyally wear their ‘team colors' to basbetball practice with some friendly ‘ribbing' from both. Dylan say: ‘Mizzou will win'. Mason replys ‘Illinois has won the last 5 years', and the friendly rivals begins. The boys plan to watch the game together with with their Dads.                                                    

McGinnis has attended the Busch ‘Braggin Rights' game in StLouis for 22 of past 25 years with his late father-Donald, Brother-Kevin (IL alumni) and uncle-Vern (IL Alumni). They have passed this rich tradition on to a 3rd generation. The boys and Dads watched the Sept. 2007 Mizzou and Illini football game together @ Downings home in Lenexa, and they plan to be watching together on Saturday eve.  Illini hopes to get revenge on the hardwood.

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