March Madness nets more than $1,500

The winning student team played a faculty team in the finale of the March Madness Tournament.

The March Madness Basketball Tournament raised more than $1,500 for 305 8th Street.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Bob Jones High School presented the fundraiser.

Ten teams entered the 3v3 tournament. “The residents from 305 8th St. were present to help officiate and keep score,” FCA sponsor Amy Thaxton said. “One of the residents opened the tournament by singing ‘The National Anthem.'”

C.H.A.M.P. Training and Nutrition 24/7 Gym sponsored the event.

The student team, Dynamite, won the tournament. Team members were Darian Madkins, Michael Heilman, Michael Lockett, Dez Dennis, Tadj Underwood and team captain JoJo Alindogan. These students are all seniors.

“They were rewarded with FCA backpacks donated by Scott Tarver from the Huntsville Lifeway Christian Store and a cookie cake,” Thaxton said. “They got to start and recruit MVP players of their choice from the tournament to play against the faculty.”

“The faculty beat the students, but the students have already called for a rematch,” she said.

305 8th Street is a residential home for adults with diverse mental challenges, including autism, brain injury, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and mental illness (3058thstreet.org).

First Commercial Bank is the yearlong sponsor for Bob Jones FCA.