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Citizen sees the benefit of community
"I was driving down the road one day and saw a group of young people walking with their heads hanging down," James Crawford said. "A few miles further down I saw another group and I said to myself, 'why don't these kids get out and do something constructive?' "The more I rode and thought I realized that we as a community needed to give them something to do," he added. Crawford is a firm believer in giving back to the community that helped mold him. 'I figured that it was time to either do something or quit talking about doing something." That something is the first annual 3-on-3 Coolers Ain't Cool Hoop It Up basketball tournament, beginning Friday afternoon. "We expect about 60 teams playing in 15 minute games," Crawford said. "But the games can be over sooner than that because there is a 15 point limit. Also teams will be awarded points when they are fouled, so that should reduce the number of fouls and players will have to play good defense." Crawford pointed out that officials that called local high school basketball games would be officiating all of the games in the tournament. The tournament is open to boys and girls age 9-19 and there is no registration fee. Teams must have a minimum of three players and there is no maximum amount. Team prizes for boys and girls teams will be given for first place, $500; second place, $250; and third place, $125. "Anyone who comes out will get a T-shirt and sun visor," Crawford said. "Plus we will have drinks and hot dogs, free of charge." Any team wishing to enter must do so by May 14. They can call 334- 682-5285 or fax their team info to 334-636-8166 and lastly the information can be emailed to peachtree3on3@yahoo.com. The new regulation court surface was completed Monday and the rims will be put up on Friday. Not only can it be used for basketball but residents will be able to play tennis and volleyball as well. One of the people who Crawford gives a lot of credit in putting a lot of hours into the project is Jerome Pugh. Pugh also lives in the community. "I saw there was a lot of work that needed to be done," Pugh said. "So I helped with work on the court, the bleachers, the grounds…pretty much anything that needed doing." "It has been a hard two weeks worth of work," Pugh said. "But come this weekend the work will pay off when everyone comes and has a good time. It seems like the past few Sundays everyone has been down here seeing what is going on." Others who have put in a lot of time and effort are Vincent Kimbrough, Peter Weatherly, Kerry Crawford, Alex Campbell, John Tate, Farenzo Geddis and Charlie Oliver. Crawford is very quick to point that this whole affair is not about basketball. In fact the sports is something to get people in the door. "There will be activities for people of all ages," he said. "We are going to have inflatable rides of all kinds for the kids, plus there will be free drinks and hot dogs for everyone. "Schools like Alabama Southern and Wallace-Selma will have booths to tell the youth about what their schools have to offer," Crawford added. For two days Crawford expects to have about 2,000 people on the site where the newly finished, regulation size, basketball court is. "The long term plan to add another court by next year and then a tennis court," Crawford said. "If we expose the kids to things like that, you just never know when someone might sign a scholarship." Something else that will be going hand in hand with the work to revitalize the community is a mentoring program to help any kids who need academic support. "Grades are so important. Without grades there is no chance in getting a scholarship." Crawford has taken on the lion's share of the work and has stressed the importance of others in the community coming out to help, in any way possible. "I can only do so much," he said. "But as a community we can do so much more, it is just going to take people seeing what we are trying to do and then deciding to come and be a part of it." There will be ample security as well with the Wilcox County Sheriff's department sending a full compliment of deputies. "There will be order," Crawford said. Ever present with the knowledge of a full and complete community spirit Crawford will also be bringing in a local preacher to bless the court and park on Friday before the tournament begins.
"If we are going to do something, then we are going to do it right," he concluded. 'From beginning to end."
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