THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995 TAG: 9508020219
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES HERRINE, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
It's Saturday afternoon and the Terapins are on the basketball court against a powerful opponent. It's time to show the other team what they have.
Down 10 to nothing, the Terps take a timeout to discuss the situation. Defeat seems possible, but they make an impressive rally. The young all-stars go on to an 18-to-7 run to stun the other team.
Outside isn't the only place where things heat up in the summer. At Tallwood High School's gym, Calvary Revival Church's young people heat up the competition. As the kids dribble up and down the court, the small high school gym takes on the atmosphere of a professional game, just with shorter players.
Calvary, a Norfolk church known for its community involvement and numerous ministries, developed the basketball league for its youth last summer. Mark Lawrence, youth pastor at Calvary, said the league was designed to give young people something to do during the summer.
``I was concerned about the interaction of the students and wanted to provide them with some fun,'' Lawrence said.
The Calvary Revival Basketball League consists of 12 teams. Four teams are made up of Calvary children ages 6-9 and have names of local high schools. Four more teams - the ``college division'' - include pre-teens, 10-12. The last four teams - ``professionals'' - consist of players 13-18.
At the end of the regular season, all the teams go on to the playoffs, where elimination begins. At the end of the playoffs, the two remaining teams face off for the title.
Coaches, players, parents and fans said they all enjoy the summer games.
``I like it a lot because it gives me a chance to show my skills,'' said Elliot Williams, a rising freshman at Granby High and a league coordinator.
Some of the games played at Tallwood High are highly charged.
The hot, muggy days of summer don't seem to keep people from getting out of their houses. And the gym at Tallwood High is the right place for a weekend basketball game. In fact, Tallwood displays the brilliant purple and gold, which are the church's colors.
The bright lights of the scoreboard flash as the teams make their final preparations for the game. Coaches and teammates hype each other and discuss their strategy to take out the other team. They all look like young warriors preparing themselves for a friendly confrontation on the battlefield with one concept on their mind - winning. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Ericis Hyatt of the Braves shoots over John Hall of the Gladiators
as coach Randy Artis looks on.
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About the Author
James Herrine
by CNB