Franco Jamerson's Impact: How the City of Canton honors a basketball champion

Photo byJamerson File Photo

CANTON, OH- Being recognized by your city government is a huge accomplishment, for Hartford middle school basketball and football Coach Franco Jamerson, a deserving honor for leading young men on and off the field of play.

Canton City Council members presented Jamerson with an Informal Resolution for the success he accomplished leading the 2023-24 8th grade black basketball team to an impressive undefeated season and winning the Federal League Championship.

Photo byCanton City Council Members

"This honor actually means a lot to me," said Jamerson, "The boys told me they had a goal in mind and that goal was to win the championship together and to go undefeated while doing it," Jamerson elaborated when asked what the honor meant to him and his team.

Jamerson started his championship ways during the 20-21 season leading both his 7th and 8th grade basketball and football teams to titles and would carry on for the next couple years bringing his total to 2 championships out of a possible 8 for basketball starting that in the 22-23 season and 7 championships for football respectively.

Jamerson was assisted by Carlos Parish who will be taking over the middle school football program in the upcoming season leaving the program in good shape and good hands.

Championship team members included:

• Mejor Cheek
• Legacy Lee
• Zahmir Torrence
• Jaylen Elder
• Jaylonn Carter
• Derrick Gordon III
• Carlo Virola
• J'Quann Green
• Javier Longshore

Embarking on next journey

Jamerson also spoke on what he would leave his players with as they embark on future endeavors not under his leadership, "What I definitely want to leave with my guys is trust, you can do whatever you want if you trust who's doing it with you." said Jamerson.

Fitting statements when going into battle with your brothers," The guy to your left and your right are who you go into battle with, trust them because they were there when on one else was." replied Jamerson.