Wednesday, May 19, 2004

AAU tournament coming May 21-23

The gyms of schools in Fayetteville will be bursting with AAU basketball next weekend as over 20 teams from all over the southeast will come to town for the Fayette County basketball “Neighborhood Challenge,” hosted by the South Metro Mustangs AAU team.

The tournament runs Friday through Sunday, May 21-23, and will take place at Fayette County High School, East Fayette Elementary, Fayette Middle School, Whitewater Middle School and the LaFayette Educational Center. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students and there will be teams with players ranging in age from 13-17 playing all weekend long.

AAU basketball is fairly new to the area. Recent growth in Fayette County compelled parents to start an AAU chapter locally. Now in their second year, the group has grown from two teams to seven. There are six boys teams and one girls team and with over hundred players participating. There are weekend tournaments throughout the spring and summer and the organization is aided by volunter coaches, team moms and the help and support of people in the community.

There is a need for volunteers to help run the tournament. People are needed to work admissions, security, concessions, clean-up and scorekeeping. If you are interested in helping out next weekend or would like more information on the local AAU chapter and perhaps sponsoring a team, phone Coach Stanley Franklin, 678-471-3781; Coach Leslie Cruthers, 404-644-1768; Coach Reggie Johnson, 404-391-6196, Coach Doug Griffith, 770-315-8119 or L’Tanya Hancock, 678-592-2388.