Submitted PhotoPictured is the Lady Rising Stars AAU basketball team. Bottom left to right: Kaci Demps, Sariyah Chester, Nykerria Walden, Faith Johnson. Rear left to right: Coach Michael Strickland, Kamari Godfrey, Denver Arnold, Lauren White, JaShari Wilson, Genesis Copeland and Anslee Staten. Not pictured are Truth Wimberly and Jariah Thompson. 

The Lady Rising Stars, a local South Georgia 14-under girls AAU team, have excelled and are headed to Nationals in Orlando, Fla. 

The Rising Stars are coached by Michael Strickland, who uses AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) competition as an extra playing season for the young athletes to enhance their skill set, increase their court experience, national exposure, opportunity to interact with and play against athletes from around the country, as well as travel to different locations throughout the Southeastern United States. 

The team’s season has consisted five tournaments in which the players have shown tremendous growth. The Rising Stars placed second in the D2 Gulf Coast Championship in Tampa, Fla. The team went on to capture the championship at the Disney Memorial Day Classic in Orlando and at the KB Sports South Georgia Showcase in Valdosta.

AAU helps young athletes gain exposure through their competition which attracts high school and college recruiters to events. Through the young athletes’ participation with AAU they are better prepared for obtaining scholarships to colleges and universities. Strickland’s ultimate goal is to help young people become more productive citizens, as well as providing them with opportunities to further their education and play at the next level.

Coach Strickland’s Rising Stars Program works to ensure that his athletes are both scholars and responsible citizens through monitoring their progress in school. By participating in sports, young people learn character building skills such as; how to get along with others, problem solving, discipline through following rules, and goal setting. Young people who develop their character through extracurricular activities go on to be responsible adults and contributing members of society.

The Lady Rising Stars will be traveling back to Orlando July 19-23, to conquer and claim a national title for 14-year-olds. If the local community or individuals within the community wish to provide support for the Lady Rising Stars they definitely will welcome your gift. They are in need of financial donations, or donations of drinks or snacks that can be taken with them.

For more information or to donate, please contact Michael Strickland, CEO and Head Coach at (229) 539-1183, or by e-mail at mstrick3@yahoo.com.