Upward Bound

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on March 18, 2009 1:47 PM

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Basketball players and cheerleaders from First Pentecostal Holiness Church completed their winter sports program with a banquet Monday evening.

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Roman Gabriel III was the guest speaker for the athletes, who ranged from 4 years to old to sophomores in high school, and their parents. Gabriel delivered a unique message of hope grounded in character, faith, integrity, leadership and teamwork through his personal testimony.

He challenged the athletes to honor God first, then everyone else.

"Even though I faced many obstacles while growing up, I never lost track of my goal which was to be a professional football player like my father," said Gabriel, the president and founder of Sold Out Youth Ministries.

Sixteen cheerleaders and 18 basketball teams were recognized and each received an award. The basketball teams were: Lil Pacers, Lil Suns, Lil Warriors, Lil Cavaliers, Clippers, Nets, Shock, Comets, Suns, Monarchs, Knicks, Timberwolves, Sparks, Bulls, Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz and the Silverstars.

The church will start flag football and continue its cheerleading program in the fall. For more information, telephone 734-4660 or 734-2674.