By: Isaiah S. Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
MILLVILLE, N.J. — The Millville PAL (Police Athletic League) basketball team went head-to-head against the Upper Pittsgrove Panthers in a division 2 game, and both teams performed for the community at a high level.
Coaches Surrency (Millville) and Ambruster (Pittsgrove) screamed ferociously from the bench as their teams took each other on in a friendly, yet competitive, game. While The Millville PAL and Upper Pittsgrove basketball teams are competitive against each other, they are together because both teams’ staff’s purpose is to keep the youth involved in positive activities and out of the street.
JT Burks also helps with coaching the Millville PAL, and he was also on the boards coaching and encouraging the players of the team to fix some errors in their game while also praising the players for the things they did right in the game.
“It’s not just about the wins and losses,” said Burks. “It’s about them becoming productive citizens and overall better basketball players.”
The idea of the PAL existing solely for basketball games is a disservice to the staff because while the kids learn from the coaches how to develop their game in basketball, their coaches also become mentors and role models for the kids encouraging a stronger Millville community.
The final score was 33 to 43 with Upper Pittsgrove coming out on top.
Coaches Ambruster and Johnson did say, though they were victorious, that there is always room for improvement, and they will show much for their next game.
As the kids shake hands at the end of the game, one comment that JT Burks made is that through PAL the relationship between police and the youth is made stronger; with the staff and law enforcement participating in the uplifting of the youth in Millville, the kids and their future seem to be bright, and that’s What’s Good this week in South Jersey!
- WATCH: What’s Good in South Jersey? Cinco De Mayo Celebration
- WATCH: What’s Good in South Jersey? Salem Donates House For Full Renovation
- Babes of Broadway Dazzle at ‘Drag Me To Landmark’ Show
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
