The St. James Coastal Crew Rebels were invited to the University of South Alabama Elite Basketball Camp in Mobile on June 11.
According to coach Simon Steele, four Rebel players represented the team. Qualeek Keith, Javonte LeCounte, Cedric Golphin and Isaiah Scott made the trip.

The camp started with a tour of the basketball facilities, and the players met the coaching staff.
South Alabama head coach Matthew Graves spoke about what it takes to play at college and the types of players he wants.
Steele said the competition at the camp was intense. He said Keith played point guard and did a great job feeding off the talent around him.

Golphin showed his leaping abilities, hitting dunks and layups.
LeCounte and Scott were on the championship three-on-three team.
“As a result, coach Graves awarded them a different shirt from the other campers,” Steele said. “They definitely stood out because of their versatility. Both are 6-foot-3 and can play multiple positions on both sides of the floor. That aspect is what caught the coaches’ attention.”

Steele said the players were put through a series of drills and taught the fundamentals. They participated in five-on-five games with older players. In the final five-on-five game, Scott was the point guard for his team and finished with 19 points, including five treys with one at the buzzer to win the game by one point.

“The collegiate basketball world understands that our area has the athletes and the talent,” Steele said. “Our student athletes just have to keep grinding on the court and in the classroom. The coaches were impressed with the young men from Liberty County. If we can get the community to support the program, we can do much more for our youth.”

He said the goal is to get these kids focused on college educations and becoming a productive citizen. He said his players are about to enter the 10th grade at both Bradwell Institute and First Presbyterian Christian Academy.