Recognizing those who made the ACA gym possible

Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.

On Friday, Jan. 31, the four Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) basketball teams – both boys and girls, varsity and junior varsity – faced off against the Buccaneers of Branford, Fla. The school also hosted their basketball senior night that evening, with all of the varsity girls and boys basketball athletes being recognized by their families, coaches and peers.
It wasn't just those two athletic-focused events that gathered people to the Wilmer Bassett Gymnasium on the evening of January 31, however – it was also the fact that the school planned to recognize all those who had made the gym possible.
At the halftime mark for the boy's varsity game, nine people – or their representatives – were asked to come onto the gym's court for the recognition ceremony.
When the ACA Warriors play rival teams at home, their games are held in the Wilmer Bassett Gymnasium. The gym is home to the Warriors' countless on-court successes and wins, and the gym's bleachers are regularly filled with cheering fans and students.
The ACA Gymnasium Committee made the gym a reality for the school through their planning and funds gathering. It is thanks to their hard work and relentless efforts that the ACA Warriors have a gym to practice in and play – a gym to call their home court.
Recognized on the night of Friday, Jan. 31 were: Mordaunt Bishop (represented by his daughter, Tonya Roberts), Luther Pickles (represented by his sister, Beth Kinsey), Steve Walker (represented by his son, Steve Walker), Pete Rich (represented by his son, Bud Rich), Ed Finlayson (represented by his grandson, Mac Finlayson), Wilmer Bassett (represented by his son, Bill Bassett), Al Cooksey, Franklin Hightower and Tracey Jackson.