The Teamwork Foundation, a Bronx-based non-profit charity that administrates the New York Gauchos, hosted a special awards banquet at the Gauchos Gymnasium on Thursday evening.

The awards banquet had distinguished guest speakers: Kym Hampton WNBA alum, and God Shammgod NBA alum. The Class of 2009 banquet who recognize the athletic and academic achievements of the Gauchos' graduating seniors. Special awards were presented to China Crosby of Manhattan Center High School's Lady Rams and Markel Walker of Schenly High School in Pittsburgh Pa for their McDonald's All-American accomplishment this year. Both China and Markel were the team leaders of the Gauchos Lady Choz 16U team in 2008.

The Gauchos will give a special honorarium award to Mirtha Bernardez the mother of Anthony Benedith a beloved Gauchos player who was killed after attending a neighborhood party on August 28, 2006. Anthony loved his Gaucho teammates and dreamed of playing in the NBA.

Founded in 1967 by Lou d'Almeida, Teamwork Foundation, Inc. is the parent organization of the Gauchos, an educational and recreational basketball program, which serves economically disadvantaged minority boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 19 from New York City

China Crosby- Manhattan Center High School

Markel Walker- Schenley High School PA

Essence Townson- Patterson Catholic High School NJ

Alfrea Tolbert- St. Mary's High School NJ

Vanessa Moore- Pope John High School NJ

Tiffany Conner- Teaneck High School NJ

Anisha Wilson- Career High School CT

Rayven Johnson- Bloomfield Tech High School NJ

Victoria MaCaulay- Career High School CT

Durand Scott- Rice High School

Sean Johnson- Christ the King High School

James Stukes- Rice High School

Tyreak Johnson- St. Raymond High School

Trevon Hamlet- Bishop Loughlin High School

Dan Jennings- St. Thomas Moore CT

Tevin Baskin- Trinity Catholic High School CT

Orlando Rodriguez- Cardinal Spellman

Colby Donovan- Rye Country Day School

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