The Coastal Crew Rebels 12U basketball team placed seventh in the Youth Basketball of America National Tournament.
The seventh-place win combined with their points have made the 12U team sixth in the state of Georgia and seventh in the nation. Thirty-two teams competed in the tournament in Polk County, Fla., July 28-Aug. 4.
For coach Derrick Brooks it was a little like a homecoming.
“We played in the Lakeland Senior High School gym in Lakeland where I went to high school,” Brooks said. “For the team it was like playing with a home field advantage.”
Brooks said he was proud of the accomplishment made by the Rebels and that it took a combined-team effort to make it as far as they did.
“We had one player who would shine in one game, and another who would carry us in the next,” he said. “One of our guys had just returned from an injury and he was valuable in some of the games, but it was every single player stepping up to the plate.”
It was not only an accomplishment for the players, but with three different Rebel teams participating in nationally sponsored tournaments, it is an achievement that shows the program at the St. James Center is working towards developing great players and giving the children an opportunity for collegiate scholarships and recognition.
“The more support we get from the community the more we grow and give these kids the ability to move in a positive direction,” Brooks said. “These kids are young, but they have a positive attitude and they are headed in the right direction, and who knows how far they can go?” he said.
Brooks credits the success of the program to director Ernie Walthour Sr. and the success of his team to the hard work and dedication of the rest of the 12U coaching staff, Elias Sanders and Reginald Castile.
“I would like to thank Derrick Brooks, Elias Sanders and Reginald Castile for all their hard work and dedication they show towards their young players, “Walthour said. Brooks has been instrumental in the success of the 12U Rebels and is an asset to our program.”
With the success and accomplishments of the Rebel teams, Walthour has decided to extend the program into the winter.
The seventh-place win combined with their points have made the 12U team sixth in the state of Georgia and seventh in the nation. Thirty-two teams competed in the tournament in Polk County, Fla., July 28-Aug. 4.
For coach Derrick Brooks it was a little like a homecoming.
“We played in the Lakeland Senior High School gym in Lakeland where I went to high school,” Brooks said. “For the team it was like playing with a home field advantage.”
Brooks said he was proud of the accomplishment made by the Rebels and that it took a combined-team effort to make it as far as they did.
“We had one player who would shine in one game, and another who would carry us in the next,” he said. “One of our guys had just returned from an injury and he was valuable in some of the games, but it was every single player stepping up to the plate.”
It was not only an accomplishment for the players, but with three different Rebel teams participating in nationally sponsored tournaments, it is an achievement that shows the program at the St. James Center is working towards developing great players and giving the children an opportunity for collegiate scholarships and recognition.
“The more support we get from the community the more we grow and give these kids the ability to move in a positive direction,” Brooks said. “These kids are young, but they have a positive attitude and they are headed in the right direction, and who knows how far they can go?” he said.
Brooks credits the success of the program to director Ernie Walthour Sr. and the success of his team to the hard work and dedication of the rest of the 12U coaching staff, Elias Sanders and Reginald Castile.
“I would like to thank Derrick Brooks, Elias Sanders and Reginald Castile for all their hard work and dedication they show towards their young players, “Walthour said. Brooks has been instrumental in the success of the 12U Rebels and is an asset to our program.”
With the success and accomplishments of the Rebel teams, Walthour has decided to extend the program into the winter.