Nineteen young men from the Hinesville Regency housing and mentorship programs went to Opelika, Alabama, Jan. 15. Participating mentorship programs include the Southland Knights and Leaders in Training.

The boys toured Auburn’s athletic facilities and played in the Southeastern Regional Council 18 and Under basketball tournament. SERC addresses concerns for the nation’s housing needs for youth programs. The youth also met Auburn basketball players.
All 19 represented Hinesville well, according to the Hinesville Housing Authority staff.

This trip was sponsored by the nonprofit Hineshouse Project, under the leadership of Executive Director Debra Williams, program coordinator Corey Jackson and coaches Eric Hollis and Charles Carroll. The vision was to give youth, who did not have an opportunity to play basketball on school teams, the chance to show off their talents.

One Hinesville player, Andrew Ortega, won the 18 and Under 3-point shootout.
The trip allowed the young men to get out of their comfort zone and experience a university in hopes of inspiring a desire to go to college and meet new people.