DistinXion gym ready for action

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Trey Reed a member of the 3rd grade DistinXion basketball team practices at the new DistinXion basketball facility at Antioch Christian Church. By T. Daniel Lancaster

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February 9, 2012

By T. Daniel Lancaster Washington Times-Herald The Washington Times-Herald Thu Feb 09, 2012, 08:13 AM EST

WASHINGTON — For the Zeller family, DistinXion was once a dream, but now it is a dream — with a permanent address.

DistinXion is a Zeller family project that builds top-notch youth basketball skills in faith-based environment.

It started with Luke Zeller’s vision of combining sports and faith, many years before he had the resources to put it together.

Now DistinXion will have a home court — and four nice walls as well.

On Saturday, under the banners of Washington’s Mr. Basketballs Luke, Tyler and Cody Zeller, will be the ribbon-cutting on a new basketball facility at Antioch Christian Church.

“This is great that we will have something like this and it is great to be able to give back in your home community,” said DistinXion founder Luke Zeller, who will be home for the ribbon cutting.

And it won’t take long to put the facility into action, as it will serve as the home of the fourth grade bracket of the Hatchet Classic AAU tourney that will be played in gyms all over town this weekend.

The facility was built through donations and in-kind donations from church and community members and is being leased to DistinXion.

The gym was built in record time. Lorri Zeller said they started site planning in late September and by Dec. 23, they were holding an open house for the completed project.

“I wish I could have said I did more, but my participation was limited to about 20 minutes with a jack-hammer,” said Luke Zeller, who is currently on injured reserve with the Austin Toros of the NBDL.

“It couldn’t have gotten done as fast or as well as it did without God’s help and the work of His people. I really want to thank Antioch and so many others who really stepped up for us,” added Zeller.

Right now, DistinXion has two AAU teams, an eighth grade team coached by JC Hulls (Hoosier guard Jordan Hulls’ father), based out of Bloomington, and a third grade team based out of Washington. The teams are more than just a collection of talented players. Being part of the DistinXion team also requires character and players are held to a higher standard. Players at the third grade level are required to do community service, maintain grade and are asked to help around the house.

Phase II of the construction is also planned, where some office space and classrooms will be added where character development can take place.

Zeller added the DistinXion Advantage program will also be housed out of the facility. It will be a program that helps develop speed and agility, as well as individual workouts.

The DistinXion third grade team will be one of three Washington teams playing in the fourth grade division. Overall, 51 teams between fourth and eighth grade will be playing in the two-day tourney.

DistinXion and Washington Hatchet basketball are co-sponsoring the event.

Admission is $6 per day or $10 for the weekend. Stamps and wristbands are good at each of the five sites (Hatchet House, Junior High Gym, Lena Dunn, Griffith and DistinXtion). Under 12 will be admitted for free.

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