WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

Early last month, the Winston Lake YMCA crowned the Spurs champions of their 13-14 age group.  Head coach Lester Nowlin told his team if they won the championship, he would do something special for them. Last Sunday, coach Nowlin followed through on his promise and held a banquet for his team at Tony’s Lounge, 117 Walkertown Ave. in Winston-Salem.

Nowlin, who has been a longtime coach at the YMCA. has always had his awards banquets for his team at Tony’s Lounge, where he has also worked for nearly three decades. Nowlin, who pays for the trophies out of pocket, says he is happy to be able to provide this celebration for the kids and their parents.

“I feel great and it makes me feel even better to get these young men off the street and in the gym to win a championship,” Nowlin said.  “It makes me feel good to be able to set a positive image for these young men and the community.”

Nowlin not only provided each team member a trophy but also provided rings for every player.  He also had two specially made Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophies for Kevon Powell and Nathan Cathcart.  He says he has been blessed in life and doesn’t mind spending money on the young men who fought so hard to win the championship trophy.

Tony Couch, owner of Tony’s Lounge, provided the venue and food to everyone free of charge. He said it made him feel great to see all the smiling faces of the kids and parents.

“I think as a local business owner we sometimes need to step up and help the youth,” Couch said. “I’ve always been one to work with the community and the young people because they are our future.  We have to do more to help them.  We are treating them special because that was a special feat by them winning the championship and hopefully we inspire them to continue to do great things.”

The two MVP’s of the team, Cathcart and Powell, were totally surprised and honored to have been named MVP by Nowlin. They said they weren’t expecting all of what Nowlin did for them.

“This feels great and I have to thank God because without Him I would not have been able to make it this far,”Cathcart said. “I’m just going to continue praying to Him because I could have been injured or something but God saw fit for me to win this instead. I want to keep working hard and do the best I can.”

Powell added, “I am so happy to have been named MVP, especially after all the hard work I have put in this season.  I am really just so proud of myself and my team for winning the championship.  Going forward, I just want to do the best that I can by keeping my grades up and staying out of trouble.”

Nowlin says he would love to have the kids who are eligible to return on his team next year.  For those players who are moving on, he wishes nothing but the best for them.