goTriad.com

The whistle blows and 10 men circle center court. The two tallest square off and reach for the sky as the referee tosses the ball skyward. It rotates slowly, and you can feel the anticipation as the two men flex their legs and leave the ground , each attempting to reach the ball first. The downtown YMCA is closed for the evening, open only to a select few.

What started as a series of thoughts in the mind of Aziel Shalem that just would not dissipate is now a reality equipped with referees, two 20-minute halves with a running clock, seven teams, and a play-by-play announcer. This is a place where men can play together and pray together.

The Bible Study League got its roots a year ago at Life Community Church (4900 W. Wendover Ave., Jamestown) where Aziel is a member.

"There were some nights there where only enough guys to play 21 but not run a full game," Shalem says.

Seeing and experiencing the obstacles and tribulations life tends to put in our path, he sought a way to be of service to his community. He sought to find a way to bring brothers together in a positive environment and be able to take a look at what the Bible says about their lives and how to make them better.

"I had little to do with the league besides finding the venue," says Shalem, a native of Greensboro and a graduate of Dudley High School class of 1984. "It manifested by the grace of God. From its inception the idea just exploded. God increased it, and it has exceeded what I thought it would be."

And indeed it has; the players are excited about the league. The stakes are high and the competition is higher. Brandon Bynum, a second-year veteran, says basketball is a great vehicle for bringing people together to hear the word.

I myself had not been to church in a couple of months, and like most of us, was soul searching, looking, waiting, but not exactly sure what I was looking for or waiting on. A friend suggested I join the league to stay in shape and get some organized competition. I had no idea it was a Bible study league and went to the initial meeting to pay my registration fee only to find out we'd be hearing scripture at halftime and opening each game with a word of prayer.

I could not do anything but just smile to myself. Thinking no matter how far you run, God always finds a way back into your life when you least expect it. It was a pleasant surprise, and I found exactly what I was looking for.

For the past two weeks I've spent my Saturday nights at the Bryan Family YMCA with players, friends and family playing together and praying together. It's one of the highlights of my week. It is a fellowship and a brotherhood, a lesson and an inspiration in my life.

This league is touching the lives of men, young and old, and their families as we spend time in God's word doing the things we enjoy doing. As an added bonus there will be a five-on-five tournament at the end of the season, as well as a one-on-one and possibly a three-on-three. All the games will be filmed, which allows area collegiate coaches to evaluate some of the league's talent.

An all-star team will also be selected to play in different cities and venues after the regular season has ended.

Long after the last whistle has been blown and the last shot passes through the net, after the clock runs out and the last player has left the gym, we will all remember. We will all remember a time and place where we could come together, express our talents, our love for the game and share our testimony and our faith. A place where the best of both worlds existed, far away from the daily trials and tribulations of the world and close to our hearts and minds, close to our souls.

Josephus Thompson III is a poet, activist and educator in the Triad. His column runs once a month. Contact him at Josephus@mentalityenterprises.com.