Charles Williams and Keith Gardner, elite athletes for the LaGaurdia Red Hawks, maximized their opportunity playing basketball this past season. Both are receiving full scholarships to play basketball for a four- year college. Mr. Williams played two seasons with the Red Hawks while Mr. Gardner played this past season.
Mr. Williams, who is 6 feet 9 inches tall, will attend Dominican College in Orangetown, New York, a Division II basketball team. Mr. Gardner is traveling to Itta Bena, Mississippi, to attend Mississippi Valley State University, a Division I basketball team. Mr. Williams in 27 games averaged 10.7 points a game with 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. He shot 53 percent on the court, which is highly efficient. When Mr. Williams begins his collegiate career for the Dominican Chargers, his major will be athletic training. Mr. Williams said: “I’m excited. I get to play ball for two more years.” The LaGuardia Red Hawks were instrumental in helping Mr. Williams in his college career so far. He said, “They helped with my confidence. I didn’t know what to expect. People here support you; they are like family.”
The 6-foot-5 Mr. Gardner is going to Mississippi Valley State where he will study business management and play basketball. When Mr. Gardner heard the news of his scholarship to a Division I school, he said: “I was ecstatic. It’s what I’ve been working for my whole.” Mr. Gardner is very versatile. He played all five positions this season. Mr. Gardner averaged 7.4 points per game, shooting 45.8 percent from the field with 4.5 rebounds a game. He often guarded the best player on the opponent’s team. Mr. Gardner gave future Red Hawks some advice, “Stay on your books.” School work is important; excelling in school allows student athletes to continue to play for their team, he said.
LaGuardia continues to help students’ open doors for their future. The Red Hawks coaching staff led by Coach Ben Chobhaphand helped guide Charles Williams and Keith Gardner towards receiving a free education. The hard work these two LaGuardians put in came back around with more great opportunities while they get continue to do something they love, play basketball.
3 News Items:
- David Noel, forward for the Red Hawks, made second-team all-star.
- Kailyn Richburg, who plays for the Lady Red Hawks, made first-team all-star and was in contention for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2014-2015 season.
- Charles Williams received honorable mention.
