VIDALIA — They may be out of high school now, but players from the 90s and 2000s at Vidalia High School still have a pep in their step on the basketball court, and they showcased their skills Saturday afternoon in the annual alumni game.

The teams, one made up of 90s graduates and one made up of 2000s graduates, went at each other with plenty of pride on the line. But the 2000s ended up pulling out the win, 87-70.

“Being in a small town, we don’t have too much to do,” 2000s player Torrey Dixon said. “Memorial Day is one of Vidalia’s biggest holidays, and to do something like this is a good way to start the Memorial Day weekend.”

Dixon was also quick to get the game started and the crowd to their feet like he used to during his time in a Viking’s uniform.

After throwing down a couple of dunks in pre-game warmups, Dixon had a slam just two minutes into the game.

He would finish the game as the leading scorer for the 2000s with 35 points and nearly a full highlight reel of dunks.

“It felt good knowing this is where I made my mark as a Vidalia native,” Dixon said.

But his counterpart, Ronald Ellis wasn’t going to just lay down. Ellis put up a game-high 38 points for the 90s and said the game was everything he could’ve hoped for.

“Seeing all the legends, they are a lot older than I am, but I looked up to all of them,” he said. “We just tried to play hard and win the game.”

While the game only had pride on the line, the teams did get into it a few times, arguing calls and talking a little trash back and forth.

“Most of us see each other all the time and we talk noise, but it isn’t anything,” Ellis said. “It might look crazy from the stands, but it is all good competition and in good fun.”

The game also provided an opportunity for some to make their way back to Vidalia.

For 1994 graduate Roderick Kelly, the game was a perfect opportunity to make a trip back.

“I live out of town and haven’t been back home in a while,” said Kelly, who had 10 points in the game. “I saw everybody I grew up with and played ball with at school and I loved it.”

Kelly said it was nice to also see the old-timers hadn’t lost their step.

“We still have a little bit left,” he said. “Some guys gained a little weight and got a little older, but we are all right.”

Ellis said he believes the alumni game has a bright future, but it ultimately lies in the hands of the youth.

“I know the older guys will stay,” he said. “But it is up to the youngsters to keep this thing going.”