Gate of Heaven Church of God to dedicate annual basketball tournament in memory of Marvin Davis

The tournament and festival is set for Saturday at the Anthony Eric Madison Sr. Veterans Memorial Park.

For the MVI

A Monessen church will dedicate its annual basketball tournament in memory of the community member who conducted them for more than a decade.

Gate of Heaven Church of God in Christ will hold its 15th annual 3×3 Basketball Tournament and Festival at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Anthony Eric Madison Sr. Veterans Memorial Park, which is located at the intersection of Ninth Street and Knox Avenue in Monessen (formerly Ninth Street Park).

This year the tournament is renamed “The Marvin Davis Memorial 3×3 Basketball Tournament and Festival” to honor the memory of Davis, who died Feb. 27. Davis had been conducting the tournaments for the past 15 years with his wife, Mary Davis.

Davis graduated from Monessen High School in 1968. He played football and basketball while in school. He was known as “Mutt.” He was employed as the code enforcement officer for the City of Monessen since January 2022. Davis was an active member of Gate of Heaven under the pastorate of Bishop William C. Bass Sr.

Church members are planning several events to honor his memory and his years of outstanding service.

Many teams of different age groups are expected to participate in this year’s tournament.

Other amenities at the park are basketball courts, a playground, picnic pavilion and a walking track.

In addition to the tournament, there will be face painting, rock painting, obstacles courses and music.

Different types of food and drinks will be available such as: wings (barbecue, garlic plain), hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, walking tacos, and corn on the cob. Desserts will be available such as funnel cake sticks, strawberry shortcake, various other cakes, sweet potato pie, cookies, pineapple upside-down cake, potato chips and snow cones. Refreshments will also be offered.

The Rev. Terrell Anderson and Aaron Aldrich are cochairs of the event. Jessica Anderson is in charge of the basketball games. Many other parishioners helped plan and volunteer at this event. Bishop William C. Bass Sr. is pastor.

The public is invited to attend and support this worthwhile fun-filled event.