Seat Pleasant police compete against teenagers in community basketball game for good cause

SEAT PLEASANT, Md. (DC News Now) — Officers with the Seat Pleasant Police Department (SPPD) challenged local teenagers to a community basketball game Thursday night for a good cause.

It is being done to honor the memory of Gabriela Carter, who passed away from breast cancer last year. She was a beloved worker at the Seat Pleasant Activity Center. Director Ladonna Gill told DC News Now that Carter’s legacy will live on.

“Gabriela worked here for more than one year, and in that brief time, she was such an impact on this community. She loved the kids and always went above and beyond, and when she got off at 3 p.m., she always stayed to interact with the kids and community,” said Gill.

The teen team has beaten the police officers three years in a row, and on Thursday, Aug. 7, they beat the cops again for the fourth time in a row, 112-70.

Officer Ocie Miller said the police department’s annual “Police Vs. Teens Pink Out Basketball Game” gives the kids a safe place to have fun.

“It’s great to get the community to come out to see the police officers not in our uniforms and to compete in a game of basketball. And our kids in this community love basketball and we can be more personable, and we get to know the community much more,” Miller explained.

15-year-old Keryncie Williams, who competed on the team, said it feels good to beat the cops again.

“The police officers have never won and it’s just that we are too good for them and it’s not that they are bad but we are just too good and they can’t beat us and my three point shot is good and when I finish, anyone under the rim I am going to dunk on them,” said Williams.

Players on both teams said they can’t wait to play again next year.