Cedarville, Mackinaw City/Cheboygan To Host Harlem Ambassadors Basketball
By David Latva and Paul Gingras

Pictured here are the Harlem Ambassadors, a comedy basketball team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters. They will play in Cedarville and Cheboygan. (Photograph courtesy of the Harlem Ambassadors)

The Harlem Ambassadors, a nationally known basketball comedy group, will play benefit basketball games at the John Duncan Gymnasium in Cedarville Monday, October 20, and at Cheboygan High School Gymnasium Wednesday, October 22. Both games are at 7 p.m.

Monday, the Cedarville coaches and community all-stars will battle the Ambassadors to help raise funds for Trojans athletic programs.

Wednesday, coaches and community members from Mackinaw City and Cheboygan, known as the Straits Shooters, will tangle with the Harlem group to benefit the Mackinaw Area Historical Society and the Historical Society of Cheboygan County.

"The Ambassadors focus on fundraisers for nonprofit and community service opportunities," said Andria Simons of the Ambassadors organization. "It's a unique show that features a woman as the star player who instigates comedy routines and interacts with the referee of the challenging team. "Ambassador team member Taushauna Churchwell will play that role.

Members of the Cedarville team will include coaches David and Sonja Duncan, Scott Barr, Ryan Wilson, Kevin St. Onge, Kevin Hill, Dana Leach, and Ken Rohrer, administrators Rod Goehmann and Amy Scott, along with Allison Torsky, Gretchen Storey, Norm Brood, and Frank Arnold.

The Mackinaw City/ Cheboygan squad will consist of Mackinaw City Village Manager Jeff Lawson, Mackinaw City coaches Paul Wallin, Garth Law, Adam Stefanski, and Rachel Wallin, along with Mackinaw City teacher Christy Beauchamp, former Comets standout Mark Spencley, and residents Ron Paquet and Dave Krueger. Members from Cheboygan are coaches Jason Purcell, Barry Salter, Kevin Baller, Sandy Safford, Jason Friday, Jack Coon, Ryan McClintick, student advisor Vickki Kelley, and Weldon "Shorty" Blum, who played basketball at Purdue University.

"The intention is to have a hilarious good time," said Dave Wallis, pastor at the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City. Pastor Wallis is chair of the Mackinaw Historical Society's fundraising committee.

"It will be fun for people to be entertained by seeing people they know" play the Ambassadors, he said. "I'm looking forward to the game."

Children will be invited to sit on the bench with the Ambassadors, go into the team huddles, and several will be drawn into skits and activities, with no preparation necessary. After the show, the Ambassadors will hold an autograph session.

"All of the Ambassadors are college educated, drug free, good role models for kids," said Ms. Simons. "There will be six to eight players and an Ambassadors announcer at the game."

Doors will open at 6 p.m.

The cost is $5 for public school students younger children. Adults pay $10.

Tickets will be available at the door.

Advance tickets in Cedarville can be purchased at all local banks and the high school and elementary offices.

Advance tickets in Cheboygan can be purchased at Citizens National Bank and from Mackinaw City and Cheboygan historical society members.