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LEFT: Teens play Ping-Pong and pool and watch TV during the Midnight Madness event at the Bragg Hill center. MIKE MORONES/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

After midnight, teens pursue hoop dreams

Friday night basketball tournament at Bragg Hill Family Life Center draws a crowd

Date published: 3/4/2007

By KELLY HANNON

When the calendar hits Friday, teens celebrate the weekend in predictable places--at the movie theater or mall. Others are home watching DVDs or playing video games.

Then there are the other, riskier destinations. Some teens go to parties, said Kendra Childs, 14, a freshman at James Monroe High School. Kendra was sitting with friends Friday night at Bragg Hill Family Life Center's first Midnight Madness at the Hill basketball tournament, watching coed teams race up and down the court.

Kendra and friend Christina Brown, also 14, said there should be more places where teens can meet up and socialize.

"A dance club or something with a DJ," Christina said.

The Bragg Hill center wants to be one of those places. It organized the late-night tournament to draw teens somewhere fun that's also supervised.

Chuck Ellis, wellness director at the Bragg Hill center, said the gym usually closes about 5 p.m., but with financial help from community sponsors, the gym stayed open late Friday. It's something the center wants to do monthly, if it can get support.

"We wanted to provide a safe, positive place, and positive energy, and of course, they love it," Ellis said, gesturing to the packed bleachers.

Several hundred people filtered through the gymnasium complex during the evening, either as basketball players or spectators, or used the center's pool or Ping-Pong tables. Cox Communications donated two PlayStation game consoles, another big draw. Free food and drink were served.

Brittany Shepherd, 17, a senior at James Monroe, waited to play in the 5-on-5 tournament with her team. She said the intensity of play was riveting.

"The teams that were down have come back and beaten them by one point," Shepherd said.

Events stretched until 3 a.m. yesterday.

Jay Jarnegan, 30, works at the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. He came out to play in the 18-and-older portion of the tournament. "It's great to see the kids here and not coming to where I work," Jarnegan said.

"It's not just good for the people that are playing. It's good to sit in the stands and cheer for your friends," Jarnegan continued.

He hopes it becomes a regular event.

"There's a lot of stuff for you to get into if you're not around a positive role model," Jarnegan said.

Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com

Founded in 1997 by the Rev. Joe Henderson and his wife, the Rev. Doris Henderson, the nonprofit Bragg Hill Family Life Center seeks to achieve its mission, "We Build People," through a variety of activities for at-risk youth. It moved in 2003 into the former Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center off Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg. Doris Buffett, a local philanthropist, donated $1.1 million in 2004 to help build the 20,000-square-foot Sunshine Fitness and Wellness Center where the Midnight Madness at the Hill tournament was held.

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Date published: 3/4/2007