COURTLAND
On April 29, the Kids Kab Hoops League sponsored the first Kids vs. Parents Basketball Game for fellowship and fundraising.

Parents, coaches and players from hoops league participated in the regulation basketball game. Each team was made up of a mixture of kids and adults. The participants were divided into two teams, Indians and Shooters. The Indians were coached by Executive Director Charles Cooper and the Shooters were coached by Jackie Robertson, president of the Board of Directors.

During the first quarter, kids and adults competed against each other. The first part of the second quarter featured kids vs. kids, and only adults played the second part of the second quarter. The second half of the game was played in the same rotation.

“It was so much fun to get out there with the kids and run,” said Cooper, “me and the guys reminisced about our ball-playing days and it was great to compete against each other again; felt like old days.”

In addition to Cooper and Robertson, other local community leaders played in the game to include Rock Church Pastor Danny Dillon, Meherrin Elementary School P.E. Teacher Eric Benton and TaylorMade Fitness CEO and Skill-Fit Fitness mentor Lakenneth Kindred. League coaches Darnell Lee Jr. and Lafayette Smith also participated. Eighteen league players and four additional parents rounded out the rosters.

Cooper led the Indians with nine points and shot 3 for 5 from the 3-point line followed by Eric Benton and C.J. Hill with six points each.

For the Shooters, D.J. Dillon also had nine points followed by Quartez Bynum and Jackie Robertson with seven points, and Zaquan Walton and Lafayette Smith with six points each. The Indians were victorious over the Shooters by the score of 50-49.

“It is important that we invest time in the growth of the kids in our community,” Cooper said, “When we take time to meet them where they are, get down to their level, that is when we make quality emotional deposits in them.”

Kids Kab is a non-profit organization with a mission to support, empower and cultivate youth by providing safe, inspirational and educational activities and transportation for school-age children. Kids Kab was founded in January 2016 byCooper. For more information about the Summer Basketball League and the Summer Skill Academy, visit www.kidskab.org or call Cooper directly at 653-6239.