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Ministry Encourages Team Spirit

staff/Jay Nolan

Ernest Smith, 17, drives the ball passed Jamarcus Monsalvatge, 15, during a 3-on-3 basketball game at HOPE Community Center.The center opened last year and is reaching out to students and area residents with its programs.

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2007

Updated: 10/25/2007 08:11 pm

EAST TAMPA - A prayer circle sets the tone before basketballs swish through the hoop.

The once-a-month neighborhood tournament plays out on church property where the rules of behavior are followed - or else you're out.

'They're all good kids,' said Dorcas Rodriguez, whose son and nephews have been medal or trophy winners. Still, she likes to know that cussing and smoking are not allowed at Bible Truth Ministries, 4902 N. 22nd. St., across from Middleton High School.

'Normally the kids are branded as rowdy and unruly,' said Daniel Dean, pastor and ministry president. But he believes youngsters want the discipline and attention that is provided at the tournaments. 'We've kind of conditioned them to understand it's not that kind of atmosphere.'

For some, it might take two or three reprimands, but they get the message or they don't play, he said.

On a recent Friday night, more than 40 youngsters and a dozen or so adults gathered at the basketball half-court for the tournament. Game boards for checkers and chess drew a handful of adults to the picnic tables. Preschoolers rode down slides on the playground, and drinks and snacks were on sale through the window of a former residence on church property.

It had the feel of a down-home social.

But when Dean started the tournaments nearly a year ago he wasn't sure who would show up.

He fielded three teams to play three-on-three games to seven points. The winning team got a trophy; second place a medal. That was followed with a sudden death, three-point shootout for a second trophy and medal.

Word spread among friends and relatives, reaching well beyond the initial target audience at Middleton.

'Once they saw we maintained it, then it grew,' Dean said.

This month, he had 12 teams, the largest turnout so far.

Rodriguez car pools her 17-year-old son, Marquis, and often her nephews to the tournaments, shuttling between Wharton and Chamberlain high schools.

'It's something to do and something to look forward to,' she said.

Dean, who is a contractor, opened Bible Truth Ministries on 22nd Street in 2006, moving from another East Tampa location. It operates a faith-based school, chess and checkers clubs, computer classes, a food bank and neighborhood cleanups.

In May, the H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel) Community Center opened in front of the ministries building. The center is available for community meetings and seminars.

Dean is considering converting the home used as a snack bar into a gymnasium.

'Some of these kids may never have the opportunity for playing a school sport,' he said. 'Here everybody has a chance.'

The trophies and medals are motivators, he said.

Basketballs are available any time for practices, and the youngsters stop by nearly every day to shoot baskets.

Chamberlain student Thomas Johnson, 16, leaned on his bicycle watching the recent competition.

'It keeps kids from getting in trouble out here,' he said.

He learned skills in pickup games with University of South Florida students, and then heard from friends about the Friday night tournaments. He was checking out the action but held back from joining.

'If they can't dunk they ain't ready,' Johnson said.

Manoaa Hylton, 16, held up his team's trophy for a group photo.

'It means a lot,' he said. 'I thank God.'

It was the second tournament for Hylton and his brothers, Jahmassaa Hylton, 21, and Gary Minnis, 17, but their first shot at the championship.

'It's a social event. People come together and have fun,' Jahmassaa Hylton said.

When brothers Emanuel Grandberry Jr., 12, and Benjamin Smiley Jr., 15, appeared headed for the final in the sudden-death shootout, everyone cheered.

They were two of the youngest and smallest players, said their father, Emanuel Grandberry Sr., a referee.

'They were underdogs.'

Getting through to the youngsters can be a slow process, Grandberry Sr. said.

'We can't control it out there,' he said, pointing toward 22nd. 'We get involved with them and try to make a difference.'

HOOP DREAMS

Bible Truth Ministries, 4902 N. 22nd. St., hosts monthly neighborhood basketball tournaments. The tournaments usually are held at 3:30 p.m. on the third Friday of the month.

For information, call Bible Truth at (813) 231-9177.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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