Photo by Tevin Stinson
TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
Members of the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) ditched their badges and laced up their Nikes last Saturday afternoon, March 11, when they took on volunteers from Slam Basketball Academy, a local after school program that uses life lessons for youth through the game of basketball.
Slam Basketball Academy was established in 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida. The local program, which has been in existence since 2015, serves children ages 6-20 who need help reaching their academic, athletic or professional goals in life.
While admission was free to the game on Saturday, donations were taken at the door to help support the program.
In the tightly contested matchup held at Carver Road Church of Christ, the WSPD started out slow but overcame a 10-point deficit to tie the game at 23 at the half. “Slam” found their rhythm to start the third quarter and took a 43-38 lead going into the fourth. The police department threatened late in the fourth quarter but was unable to overcome turnovers. The final score was 54-48.