Coach Andrae Tramble has put his blood, sweat and tears into building AAU basketball teams. Over the course of the past over 15 years, he has dedicated himself to this cause. Ballin’ Babez’s humble origins began with a group of girls that formed together from the YMCA League in Shawnee, Oklahoma. There, he began his coaching career and for the next three years would develop a winning team.

Coach Andrae’s unorthodox approach to coaching would eventually catch the attention of the Athletic Director for the YMCA. Impressed, the director suggested that he take his team on travel tournaments; and so began their journey as the Ballin’ Babez. Initially, they had no jerseys; so he collected as many YMCA jerseys that he could to dress the team out in. This was a bit humorous because they would become known as the “Y” team and not the Ballin’ Babez. After a summer of more losses than wins, they would become an elite team through hard work and dedication.

Over the years, Coach Andrae’s league has made amazing contributions to the communities of Shawnee, Seminole, Wewoka, and surrounding cities: State Championships for 5 years straight for Pleasant Grove School Middle of Shawnee, Shawnee High school girls’ team 29-0 record with a state championship title,  and providing a winning season for their school program. In addition to coaching two of his daughters and successfully getting them both through college to graduate with bachelor’s degrees, Dale High School won two state titles with Ballin’ Babez’s Breck Clark at the heart of their team. Notably, she also graduated and went on to attend junior college before being admitted in the University of Texas where she would receive numerous awards, including MVP. She is now coaching at El Reno High School and has already taken her team to the state playoffs her first year of coaching.

Coach Andrae’s successful coaching career with the Ballin’ Babes would eventually land him an assistant coaching position at Wewoka High School. While there he would successfully assist to lead girls to the state playoffs. 

The success stories are many for the communities and children who have benefited from this basketball program. Without it, many of these children would be at-risk for teen pregnancy and the school-to-prison pipeline.

Coach Darry Carter Jr. founded and trademarked Testimony-4-Kids in March 2011 thanks to an opportunity placed upon him by Coach Andrae. He began his career by coaching the younger grades, which gave him the opportunity to launch the youth camp he now directs. Last summer, Coach Carter and Coach Andrae decided to join their teams, Badd Boyz and Ballin Babez respectively to form Testimony-4-Kids. 

Coach Carter feels blessed to be able to have this opportunity to assist the young men and women along their paths in life. Having been formerly incarcerated, he realized his calling: to give kids a structured environment and leadership that allows them to become successful people on and off the basketball court. He began thinking and planning six months prior to his release and once released he vowed never to return. Like Coach Andrae, he has also put his blood, sweat, and tears into building his teams and planting the seeds of success into each of his athletes to help them grow into successful basketball players and adults. 

Notably, he has assisted them to attend an elite number of universities and colleges around the country to not only play basketball but succeed in their academic studies and other aspects of their lives. Many of which have received scholarships for their athletic abilities. He stresses it is not just about basketball, but rather basketball as a tool to help these young men and women succeed in their lives.  

Testimony-4-Kids has a mantra in its youth camp, which is “Set the example, don’t be the example”.  This just exemplifies the leadership and hard work Coach Carter and Coach Andrae instill in these young people. 

Recently, Testimony-4-Kids partnered with United Black Family Scholarship Foundation, whose mission is  “Rebuilding the Community from within the Community.” This organization offers a range of programs from college-level internships, community reinvestment, working with youth, scholarships and community awards, and publishing books written by prisoners.