Cops busted again
Just Amazing Youth Sports founder Jay Matlock, Kaylie Lingor and Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader celebrate after the Cops vs Kids event. The Vindicator | Russell Payne
The Star Twirling and Gym crew cheers on all of the participants at the Cops vs Kids event. The Vindicator | Russell Payne
Landry Goff made a new friend in Sgt. Tyler Head at the 5th Annual Cops vs. Kids Basketball game. The Star Twirling and Gym crew cheers on all of the participants at the Cops vs Kids event. The Vindicator | Russell Payne
Just Amazing Youth Sports held its 5th Annual Cops vs. Kids Basketball game, and afterward, participants, board members and the Dayton Noon Lions Club posed for the annual postgame photograph.
Local law enforcement officers that represented the Cops are Sgt. Tyler Head, Trooper Chris McCarty, Lt. Eric Ibarra, Deputy Joel Davila, Officer Martin Trahan, Sgt. John Headrick, Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader and Honorary Deputy Abigail Davila. The Vindicator | Russell Payne
DAYTON — There was a buzz in the atmosphere as the 5th annual Cops vs. Kids was set to tip-off, and the kids from Just Amazing Youth Sports were filled with high energy and enthusiasm for the big game.
The event was a huge success and did not disappoint those in attendance, as the gymnasium at Dayton High School was filled with joyous faces for the annual gathering.
“Seeing all the smiles on the kids’ faces is what it’s all about,” said JAYS founder Jay Matlock. “At the end of the day, their happiness is what the Just Amazing Youth Sports world revolves around.”
The event serves as the primary fundraising effort for JAYS and allows the organization to fund equipment and uniforms for its kids.
“The community support is phenomenal. I do not have the final numbers yet, but I believe it will top the $ 8,200 record from last year’s Cops vs. Kids fundraiser,” Matlock said.
As always, there is a lot of community involvement as local organizations pitch in their time and support to show these young special needs athletes that they care.
Groups like the Dayton Noon Lions Club provide a lot of support, and Matlock tipped his hat to those organizations for their help.
Matlock was also very thankful for all of the work and dedication from the JAY’s board “Those ladies and John Coleman work tirelessly year-round to make the organization a success,” Matlock contacted.
As for the basketball games, well, it was another rough run for the Cops squad, losing another doubleheader to the Kids for the fifth year in a row, and with the past two years’ double headers, local law enforcement is now 0-7.
Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader was happy to see the kids smiling faces, and he was even more excited to see a vast improvement by his team.
“We did set a few team records. Martin Trahan blocked a shot on a player that was smaller than him, no pun intended,” Rader said.
Rader was very complimentary of the Kids and their dominating efforts on the court.
“Congratulations to the ‘ KIDS’ team for their success,” Rader concluded.
The work and fun don’t end here, as Matlock said his organization is set to host its first-ever Baseball Invitational at the Liberty City Park on Saturday, June 1.
For more information on Just Amazing Youth Sports, visit justamazingyouthsports.org