Makes Dream Work

BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY SMITTS PHOTOGRAPHY

TThe Albany Good Life basketball team, which was formed in fall of 2022, began with an incredible first season. Owned by 1891 LLC, the Albany Good Life was formed to bring semi-pro basketball to the local community of Albany.

PR Director Yaz Johnson talks about the team’s founding and their first season in the game. “Albany had a couple of basketball teams, but the last one was more than 10 years ago,” he says. “We need fun, family activities so people can go out and just have a good time and support the community.”

This willingness to serve the community proves that although basketball is a great source of fun, life is about more than a game – it is about the lasting effect we can make in other’s lives. For in basketball as in life, there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together.

The team, which is led by Club Manager Mike Jones and Head Coach Tracy Brown, has provided the community a weekly event to rally behind in true sportsmanlike fashion. Rigorous tryouts began in October to determine who would make the cut. With 15 players that made it through the grueling trial, Albany Good Life began.

Yaz speaks of the players saying, “The team is comprised of local talent as well as talent in surrounding counties. A couple of them are friends, and we have some brothers on the team as well.”

In fact, several of the players grew up playing high school basketball in Albany. After years of high hopes for the hoops, joining the Albany Good Life was as natural as stepping onto the court.

But regardless of their experience prior to this season, each player shares a passion for the game that fuels each play in a beautiful rendition of passionate sportsmanship. Teamwork defines each successful moment that leads the team one step closer to victory.

Despite being put together close to the start of the season, the Albany Good Life team found their rhythm quickly. “The team has an awesome record, especially for their first year playing,” Yaz says. The Albany Good Life competed against teams in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama with a 6-0 undefeated record until January 7, 2023 losing by 1 point to their Florida competitors.

Their outstanding performance in the first half of the season secured their spot in the Final Four tournaments. The tournament, which takes place every year in March, will be held in Albany March 10th-12th.

Their home games, which are held at Lockett Station Community Center on Sundays at 4 pm, are open to the public for all to enjoy. For away games, the team journeys together in a travel van to their opponents in Alabama, Florida, and other parts of Georgia.

The excitement of the crowd, along with the energy of the Albany Good Life cheerleading team, amps up the atmosphere of every home game. Family, friends, and community members alike enjoyed supporting the team throughout their first season.

Some of their early projects include reading books to students at local schools, visiting nursing homes, cleaning the community, and feeding those in need. The team is eager for their presence in the community to have a lasting impact on those who need it the most.

Local businesses have quickly taken up position to engage the community at these games. Fans have won furniture from Brooks Furniture, $200 gift cards from YAZ Photography, jewelry from Star Jewelers, Chick-fil-A gift cards, and free car wash and details from Pop’s Detail Shop.

On January 17, 2023, the Albany Good Life basketball team was introduced to the city commissioners. The formal meeting with city commissioners was a landmark event where the team was officially recognized by the City of Albany. A defining moment for the team, it signified the beginning of the long-anticipated community team.

Yaz expresses the team’s enthusiasm at this official standing. The coaches and players are thrilled by the team’s quick progress both on and off the court. Their love for the game is what drives their motivation in practices, games, and community outreach.

But regardless of their experience prior to this season, each player shares a passion for the game that fuels each play in a beautiful rendition of passionate sportsmanship. Teamwork defines each successful moment that leads the team one step closer to victory.

While the players are dedicated to the sport, most of them balance families and full-time jobs in addition to the game. Some players are still in college and manage a commitment to the team on top of their full-time class load. Yaz attributes the players’ love for basketball as the driving source of this extra energy.

As their mission statement goes, “We pride ourselves on HONOR, INTEGRITY, COMMITMENT & COMMUNITY.” With these values, each player works to better themselves, better the team, and better the lives of those they reach through their presence in the community.

Yaz personally wears many hats within the Albany community that allows him the ability to reach many community members. In addition to being the PR Director for Albany Good Life basketball, Yaz is the Pastor of Walk by Faith Ministry and the host of the “Let’s Talk Radio Show” on Praise 105.5. He has also been a photographer for 32 years.

“I’ve been a community leader since I was in my teenage years, and it was always a passion of mine to give back to the community,” Yaz says. Because of this, Yaz shares the team’s hopes for community outreach with extreme vigor.

PR Director Yaz Johnson talks about the team’s founding and their first season in the game. “Albany had a couple of basketball teams, but the last one was more than 10 years ago,” he says. “We need fun, family activities so people can go out and just have a good time and support the community.”

The Albany Good Life team has exciting plans to impact the community in a positive light. “As a team, we will be visible in the community throughout the year helping to make a difference in the good life city,” Yaz says.

Some of their early projects include reading books to students at local schools, visiting nursing homes, cleaning the community, and feeding those in need. The team is eager for their presence in the community to have a lasting impact on those who need it the most.

With an attitude of expectancy, the team is looking forward to the off season as much as they are getting back into the game in their second season. While basketball remains their focus, they feel it is equally important to use the avenues available to them to make a great impact in the community as they do on the court.

This willingness to serve the community proves that although basketball is a great source of fun, life is about more than a game – it is about the lasting effect we can make in other’s lives. For in basketball as in life, there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together.  ALM

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