Taking the Crown, Martin Center team up for mentorship, boys basketball

CANTON − The pace is furious, the action is intense, but you won't see fights or temper tantrums in the gym of the Martin Center, which has opened its doors to Taking the Crown, a basketball league and enrichment program for middle school and high school boys.

Housed in the former Henry Martin Elementary School at 1253 Third St. SE, the faith-based Martin Center was founded by Terry Hunka of Canal Fulton, who bought the 1918 building for $1 in 2011.

Hunka also is the founder of ChildReach, a global children's relief ministry.

Today, the Martin Center houses a nondenominational church and a variety of free programming and food services for the community's youth.

Patrick Allen founded Taking the Crown basketball league in 2016, and is largely funding it out of his pocket.

"We started at Dueber (United Methodist) Church," he said. "Then two years at the Salvation Army, but this season, I think we've found our home."

The league hosts games from the fall through May, followed by playoffs and championships.

Allen said there currently are about 350 boys playing on 14 teams in the league which has a waiting list, but added that "If a kid is interested, we won't turn anyone away."

"We're anticipating 20 teams next year," he said. "As we grow, we're going to need more support."

Allen noted that three former players J.T. Stevens, Kenny Pool, and Antoine Williams went on to play for NCAA Division II colleges.

"It isn't pushed to be an elite league," Thomas said, "but it is."

But, Taking the Crown, Allen said, is about much more than layups and free throws.

"We care about kids after basketball; its more of a relationship," he said.

Recently Amir Martin, 13, brought his friend, Tristan Smith for Smith's first game. The boys are students at Canton South Middle School. Martin said he like how the league is run.

"You pray," he said. "Everybody's positive. If not, it gets handled. But they really try to keep things positive."

Prior to every game, players gather in a circle for prayer which is often led by Nate Chester, a former city councilman who became the Martin Center's executive director last March.

"This is a hope-centered building," he said.

Chester and Allen noted that some of the boys' needs range from mentoring and emotional support, to food and clothing.

"Nobody is turned away," Chester said, adding that Martin Center operates The Closet of Jirah, a free-clothing ministry.

"All of our programs offer food," he added.

Chester said the conversations with the boys go well beyond the game.

"There's an emphasis on doing what's right," he said. "We talk about 'How are you, and how are you wearing your crown?'"

He said he loves that Taking the Crown focuses on the Three Cs − character, conduct and culture.

"We know ball ends, but transformation continues," he said. "That's why I love what Patrick is doing. There's a lot of sports out there, but he wanted to do something different."

Allen said fostering a culture of sportsmanship is the priority, adding that the boys know this and hold each other accountable. Prior to every game, players and coaches gather in a circle at center court for prayer.

"It's important, here," Allen said. "If they try to curse, they know its push-ups."

The Rev. Kenney Thomas is co-pastor of the Third Street Community Church, which holds services on Sundays at the Martin Center. He serves with the Rev. Corey Hunka, co-pastor.

"I like that it's all-encompassing," Thomas said of Taking the Crown. "It's not just about basketball. The best part about it is that oftentimes, sports likes to divide people. We have people from different sides of town who otherwise wouldn't be caught in the same place."

Taking the Crown attracts players from a wide region that includes Cleveland, Akron, Massillon, North Canton and Lake and Jackson townships.

Games are played at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Mondays; and at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Admission is $2.

To learn more, visit Taking the Crown on Facebook or Instagram, or contact Allen at 330-412-1804.

To learn more about the Martin Center, visit its Facebook page at the shortened link, shorturl.at/tJQ03, or call 330-961-1253.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Taking the Crown mentoring group finds a home at Canton's Martin Center