Posted: Sep 3, 2008  15:10

If you didn't get enough basketball this summer from the Bonners Ferry Swish 3-on-3 street tournament, then hang onto your three-point shot and mark Nov. 1 on your calendar.

The Harlem Ambassadors are coming to town to take on the Bonners Ferry Bandits, a team consisting of Boundary County players assembled for a "show basketball" game in a community fundraiser for the Badger Boosters and local charities.

Hosted by the Bonners Ferry Masonic Lodge #43, tipoff will be 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 in the Boundary County Middle School gymnasium. The Masons will operate a concessions stand and a "team store," where Harlem Ambassador souvenirs can be purchased. The Masons plan to contribute the proceeds to the Badger Boosters and to local Masonic charity work.

Founded in 1998 by Dale Moss, the Harlem Ambassadors played more than 200 games during 2004-2005. The team has played in the United States, Asia, Japan, Korea and Europe on tours that included performances for deployed troops in Bosnia, Kosovo and Sarejevo.

They have also performed several events at no charge to raise money for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and played for evacuees at a relocation center in Salt Lake City.

The Ambassadors have played for the U.S. military, both domestically and overseas, building their Harlem Ambassadors' reputation as the leading provider of entertainment services to the U.S. military worldwide.

The team currently consists of Lade Majic, Jazz Copeland, Pierre Alexander, Shan Mann, LaRonn Bradley, Maurice Jones, Alex Riche, Brihtani Lassiter and Taushauna Churchwell.

Ticket prices purchased before the game are $8 for those over 18 years of age, $6 for seniors and under 18 years of age. Children three years old and younger, accompanied by an adult, are free. At game day, tickets prices will be $2 higher.

The Masons are the world's largest and oldest fraternity consisting of about two million members in North America. It uses the implements of the medieval stone masons like the square, compass and level as symbols for moral lessons. Not only do the Masons aim at helping build character in their members, but they also are active in helping build better communities.

For more information on the Harlem Ambassadors show basketball game on Nov. 1, contact committee chairman Jack Douglas at 267-7545, David Brinkman at 267-3504, or Lon Woodbury at 267-7717.