The Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center will present the Harlem Ambassadors, globe traveling, comedy basketball show Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m. at Sartain Hall on the campus of Troy University. The Harlem Ambassadors will be challenged on the court by The Pike CAC Warriors, a team of local amateur basketball stars that are determined to take the game to the professionals. 

Advance tickets for the Harlem Ambassadors vs. The Pike CAC Warriors are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Tickets at the door are $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults. Children ages four and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are available at the Pike CAC at 118 West Orange Street in Troy, at local schools and online at pikeregionalcac.com.

Camille Downing, Pike CAC executive director, said the Harlem Ambassadors is a co-ed team whose members hold college degrees and are drug free.

“The team players are outstanding role models for today’s youth,” Downing said. “They are also outstanding basketball players and fun to watch.”

The Pike CAC Warriors will be coached by Carl Hollis. The team will be made up of former Charles Henderson High School alumni joined by others including OCAP’s Timothy Kemp and Greg Lee, who is involved with OCAP’s Fatherhood Program. Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd will go coast-to-coast for the home team. Downing said the mayor should have fans in the stands.

“The Harlem Ambassador vs. The Pike CAC Warriors basketball game will be a fundraiser for the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center.

“The funds raised will be use for ongoing intervention programs in our local schools,” Downing said. “We will greatly appreciate the support for this fund and fun-raiser.”

East Central Mental Health in Troy and the Troy University Counseling Department have made arrangements for the Harlem Ambassadors to take the game to the city and county schools as a part of its school Bully Proof program.

Teresa Kidd, ECMH community outreach coordinator, said the Harlem Ambassadors will visit with grades eight and below and share the message of the Bully Proof program, which is “Stay in School; Stay Off Drugs; Don’t Be a Bully.”

Students look up to athletes and are greatly influenced by what they say, Kidd said.

“The Harlem Ambassadors will demonstrate their basketball skills and also encourage the kids to stay in school, to stay focused on their educations, to set goals, to be good listeners and avoid negative peer pressure and influences and not to be a bully,” Kidd said. “And, we believe the kids will hear their message.”