'Linda Louise Foundation' to promote New Kensington youths, basketball with tournament

An upcoming event in New Kensington aims to showcase the positive in the city through basketball and provide a boost to city organizations.

On June 1, the newly-founded Linda Louise Foundation and Kings & Queens of the Court will host the “Battle on Barnes,” a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and event at JFK Park’s Barnes Street courts in downtown New Kensington.

The event will also feature youth activities, food vendors and a court dedication to local basketball legends Tom Pipkins and B.B. Flenory, according to Joe Hargraves, founder and president of the Linda Louise Foundation.

“It’s a big celebration to kick off the summer of basketball,” he said.

Hargraves, son of the late Linda Louise Hargraves, started the foundation in her honor about eight weeks ago. Linda Hargraves was a former pastor of First Baptist Church in Avonmore and one of the co-founders of Rivers of Life Outreach Ministries in New Kensington. She died of breast cancer in 2007.

“She was a mother of the community,” Hargraves said.

Hargraves said the organization’s goal is to give back to the community through different outlets, be it through academics, athletics or the community. That’s why it is partnering with Kings and Queens for the Battle on Barnes and a youth summer basketball league.

“We want to support and be a benefit to those organizations, and be an add to those organizations to help do what they do better,” Hargraves said.

The foundation is a federally registered nonprofit and people can donate online at its website, lindalouise.org.

Hargraves was born and raised in New Kensington and graduated from Valley High School in 1993. He currently lives in Westchester County, New York with his family but plans to retire in New Kensington.

Ultimately, the big goal of the Linda Louise Foundation is to create a community center, Hargraves said.

“The goal is to provide as much support to the community as possible,” he said.

New Kensington Councilman Dante Cicconi said the city had planned to dedicate the courts to Pipkins and Flenory for a while, and that the June 1 event is the perfect time to do so.

Cicconi envisions retiring more numbers of New Kensington basketball legends at the courts.

“I grew up playing basketball in this town,” Cicconi said. “My love of this community started on the basketball court.”

Cicconi said he most looks forward to a large turnout at the tournament.

“The people are why I love this community,” he said. “I had the best experience growing up on the court, and that’s why I want to help champion them.”

Hargraves hopes the event and the Linda Louise Foundation are able to advance positive and engaging experiences for New Kensington children.

“We’re looking to help guide them to reach their fullest potential on and off the court,” he said.