7th Annual Golden Child Succeeds On and Off Court
Ron Bailey, Publisher
May 7, 2007 – Trinity University was again the Golden Child Charity Basketball event’s site this weekend. An annual extravaganza produced by the Golden Child Awards Foundation and formed to assist a young person who despite facing tremendous has persevered, the Golden Child is an effort in philanthropy through hoops that as a D.C. institution, has once again mixed the two expertly.
This year’s award recipient was Tyrone L. King Jr. Armstead; a young man who because of congenital bladder/kidney health issues faces lengthy dialysis several times a week, while also facing severe family upheaval due to early abandonment by his biological parents resulting in foster parent system involvement, before adoption at the age of nine.
Now 17, Armstead is a 3.4 GPA senior at Suitland High School’s Technical Academy, who somehow finds a way to help others battle their problems, despite his own. “He pushes himself through” dialysis and its related fatigue, said Joanne Young, a teacher assigned to work with Armstead while the young man receives treatments at Children’s Hospital. “He pushes through it for his school work, and for the young kids we help. The other day, he made an animal balloon for a child. And he counseled the younger kids when someone on the floor died, which happened recently”.
Tyrone L. King Jr., with his mother and sister.
Armstead was low-key when asked of his effect on others. “It feels real good to know I’m an inspiration to others” he shared, “But I’m just doing me”.
That last statement more or less epitomizes Armstead: A young man who has fought all his life, and also carries compassion for others. The world can learn much from the guy.
Bracketing Armstead’s award presentation, which included a financial offering, along with receiving a framed jersey and nicely designed plaque, was championship round basketball (the event started Friday, and continued throughout Saturday, culminating with Sunday’s title round). Following is a recap:
Girl’s Gold Game:
H.D. Woodson 82 - Largo 36
A match up between last year’s DCIAA champion (Woodson) and Maryland’s 4A title holder (Largo), the game didn’t materialize as expected, as Largo’s team was decimated by graduation. That’s not to diminish Woodson, who only lost one contributor from last season, and thus has to be considered one of the best squads in the area or ’07-‘08.
“We went back to back in the DCIAA (championship)” noted Frank Oliver, the team’s coach for this event, of the team’s recent history and chances of dominating this upcoming season. “And we only lost to Holy Cross by seven in the City Title game…We have nine players coming back from that team”.
Against the young Largo squad they very much looked the part, as Woodson controlled every facet of the game, a fact which led Oliver to exclaim “They played great, team basketball”.
Sophomore Bernisha Pinkett (33 points) led the way, scoring all over the court, and justifying Oliver’s praise as “one of the top guards in the area”, in addition to the recruiting attention she is receiving from Virginia, Binghamton, Towson, and Appalachia State.
The Lady Warriors of H.D. Woodson.
Ronika Runsford (14 points), a freshman guard also impacted the contest and illustrated why the likes of VaTech, Maryland, NC State and other ACC schools are already showing interest, while junior Patrice Johnson (5 points) - a three year starter and the squad’s captain - once again held everything together.
Largo, who will definitely down the line benefit from this experience, were led by Trenida Scott (7 points) and Deron Eugene (6 points).