By Arlene Beckles | Nestled in the partner cities of Peachtree Corners and Norcross is a family-first sporting organization called InnerMan Community Sports. This group started in 2011, with the vision to invest both in youth and the communities in which we live and play. Coach Ali Patrick of Summerour Middle School Girls Basketball team recommended that my daughter (Nyasia) try-out for the InnerMan basketball team.
InnerMan has seen the successful representative at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Youth Basketball of America (YBOA). The 2015 squad is divided into two grade level teams, each representing either Lady Red or Lady Grey, and each has their own coaches and traveling parent- cheerleaders. The girls hail from middle schools throughout Gwinnett County and had their first retreat earlier this month. They practice twice a week and have a small mentoring session once a week led by Jennifer Bates, whom the girls affectionately call “Mama Jay.”
With my newfound title of Basketball Mom, I traveled with the 8th Grade Lady Rebels Red Team for the 2015 AAU North Atlanta Invitational at Pope High in Marietta, under the leadership of Sheryl Porter of Lilburn, Coach Porter was selected out of 300 collegiate athletes to be part of the 1987 Olympic Festival Basketball Team.
This group of young, strong determined ladies, with a camaraderie growing since their first few meetings and practice sessions, has a bond that will help them build lasting relationships and the sportsman-like friendships starting with team building and mentoring.
Sports for me is rooting for the underdog just to tease my friends and family. However, experiencing the games that first tournament weekend left me with sweaty palms, and sore legs. I know my heart missed a beat or two when I saw some of the fancy footwork on the court.
The Tournament started Friday night and on day three of game three, I learned that the Terminator (Hayley Moore from Dacula) is real and does a mean short shoot, while the Triangle (Kendall Bollmer also from Dacula) is a three-pointer to be reckoned with. For the short time that these girls were matched up, it was amazing to see them in this tournament. They made it all the way to the semi-finals on Sunday evening. To earn Kool Mommy points, I promise myself to learn all the names of Lady Rebels Red by now and the next tournament, and to score extra points I must learn the Lady Rebels chant, not to mention being able to bust a move in the bleachers!
For the next couple of months I can proudly say, I quit my doctorial program and took up traveling basketball. I am happier yet to sit in the stands and crochet while this awesome group of young ladies works to bring home their trophies and championship titles!
- For more information and/or to support InnerMan please contact Coach Torrey Bates at InnerManGroup@gmail.com or by phone at 678-492-0907.
- Visit their website http://www.innerman.com/. Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InnermanSports.
Until the next tournament, “Let’s go! Lady Rebels!”
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