‘Courtship’ Ends for Basketball Coach

As Jeff Davis looked downcourt in the Canoga Park High gym Friday, a smile swept over his face as his eyes found what he had been eagerly searching for.

Coming up the court--and down the aisle--was his bride, Faith Powell.

Davis, the Canoga Park basketball coach, and Powell were married under a basketball hoop in the school’s gym as approximately 300 family members and friends looked on from the bleachers.

Those who know Davis, a basketball junkie, must have assumed the ceremony was his idea. But it actually came from his No. 1 teammate.

“I said to him, ‘Wouldn’t it be perfect to get married in the gym,’ and he (said) ‘What a great idea,’ ” Powell recalled.

In keeping with the flavor of the event, the Canoga Park basketball team served as ushers and hot dogs and popcorn were served at the reception, which took place in a smaller gym.

The newlyweds met last May at a cheerleading competition at Magic Mountain, where junior cheerleader Aleisha Powell, Faith’s daughter, was competing.

After Davis persuaded Aleisha to give him the Powells’ phone number, he asked Faith to a summer-league basketball game at Campbell Hall.

The Davises have put their Maui honeymoon on hold for two days so they can watch Aleisha compete in a cheerleading competition today.