Sports
Bobby Tedder, Staff writer Tykala Bates, grieving over the recent loss of her mother, had been told that she would soon be receiving a visit from someone she held in high esteem. She waited impatiently the next day, until around lunchtime, when she happened to peek out a window of her Cromer Road residence and see WNBA player Allison Feaster, pulling up in a sport utility vehicle. "I got so excited when I saw her coming," Tykala said. "I'm so glad she's here for me." It's not every day that your idol, a professional athlete, comes to town to be with you in your time of need. For Bates, that happened Aug. 25, with Feaster's arrival. A star guard for the Charlotte Sting, Feaster came to Hartwell after hearing about the 15-year-old's mother dying after a traffic collision earlier in the week. Just as Tykala's father, Tyrone Bates, had hoped, Feaster's visit picked his only daughter's spirits up considerably. After watching one of Feaster's highlight videos the night before, "I got excited," Tyrone Bates said. "I said, 'this is going to be good for my daughter,'" he said, adding, "it's picked me up, too Š" The meeting was a labor of love to the Bateses from the intimate network of people involved in bringing it to fruition. Bates worships at New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church in Hartwell. New Hope pastor Thomas L. Jackson sits on the board of directors, along with Feaster, of the Shadetree Home for Girls in Edgefield, S.C., an organization that renders a myriad of constructive services for teenage girls. The groups are also responsible for bringing Tykala and Feaster together before last week. As part of New Hope's girls' youth ministry program, Tykala and several other girls attended a Stings' game last year. It was then that Tykala got a chance to get to know more about Feaster, the person rather than the fiercely competitive athlete. Despite having to fly out for the WNBA All-Star game later that morning, Feaster agreed to meet with girls over breakfast. "I'll never forget it. She (Feaster) is, truly, just a total example of strength, in every aspect of the word." recalled Shonda L. Simpkins, president and director of Shadetree. "She encouraged those young girls to attain their goals." Feaster starred as an athlete and scholar at Chester (S.C.) High School and later Harvard University. The 29-year-old is as well known for her off-the-court efforts as her hardwood exploits, last season being recognized by the WNBA for her community service work. Although much is being made of her visit to Hartwell, the unassuming Feaster did not see her latest gesture as "that big of a deal." "I have been truly blessed to, first, do what I love for a living," Feaster said. "And, then, to have the opportunity to be welcomed by young girls as a role model is the reason I continue to play." After hearing the news about Tykala's mother, Simpkins again approached Feaster about doing "something special" - i.e. e-mail, phone call - for the lanky, soft-spoken teenager. Unable to attend the funeral due to Sting responsibilities, Feaster opted to drive to Hartwell from Charlotte to spend the day with her young protege, a standout athlete in her own right, two days before. Among the gifts she came bearing was her autographed number 21 Sting jersey, which, coincidentally, is the same number Tykala wears for her basketball team. A multi-sports star at Hart County High, Tykala also aspires to be a professional basketball player. That is an objective which Feaster hopes to help become a reality. "Although, it's under tragic circumstances I'm here, I just hope this will be able to motivate Tykala to keep working hard in achieving her goals," Feaster said. "Despite your circumstances in life, you can truly achieve anything in life through hard work and faith." Authories say Cheryl Bates, 39, died after her vehicle was struck by another vehicle that crossed the center line on Highway 77 Aug. 21. The driver of the other vehicle has since been charged in connection with the crash. Before the funeral Tykala honored Cheryl by placing special parting gifts in her mother's casket. Among them was a silver medal Tykala won at last season's state track finals and a card inscribed with a pledge she vows to carry out. The latter, addressed to Cheryl, reads, "Every ball I shoot, ball I hit, track I run, I'm going to do if for you." bobbytedder@hartcom.net
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