The Charlotte County Recreation Association (CCRA) is welcoming its second annual Go Hard or Go Home Basketball Tournament Fundraiser this weekend.

The tournament will host nine teams from various communities throughout Charlotte, Amelia and Campbell Counties, as well as neighboring cities in the Richmond-metro and Northern Virginia areas.

The event will be led by hometown hero and Virginia State Trooper James Gregory, who has proudly served the youth and community since the inception of the CCRA in 2002. The organization has afforded several hundred youth an opportunity to play organized basketball, softball and baseball.

“I love the kids and everything that CCRA is doing,” said Monique Williams, tournament organizer. “I remember being one of the original coaches when James launched CCRA. I was a junior in high school. I coached a boys team and a girls team as well for a few games. It was awesome because my boys grew into great young men that played at (Randolph-Henry High School),” she said.

Just recently, Williams hosted a free Hoops and Heels basketball camp for rising middle and high school girls at Central Middle School. In light of the upcoming tournament, she will provide a free clinic on Saturday at 9 a.m. for youth ages 7-15 to kick off the tournament.

A unity prayer will take place to welcome approximately 100 participants to the tournament, followed by the the first round of play. The tournament will take place over two days, July 16-17, with nearly 20 games of play plus activities for youth and spectators.

Crowd games and activities include a youth basketball obstacle course, a three-point shootout, half-court shot contest and more. During the tournament, parents can also sign up to receive backpacks and school supplies for their children. All items will be given out on Aug. 5.

“Education is very important to me,” Williams said. “From my experience of working with youth, one of the great challenges they face is often not being prepared when they come to school.”

The cost for admission to the tournament as a spectator is $3 per day. A concession stand will be available with food and snacks.

For more information on donating items, contact Williams directly at mdwilliams521@gmail. com.