THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606200202
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 47 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 52 lines
It may be played like street ball, but this basketball league is the farthest thing from the streets that you can get.
About 70 kids from the neighborhoods of Elizabeth City began competing last week in the ``Yes, I Will'' Youth Basketball League, which is sponsored by the Elizabeth City Police Department and the Northeastern High School Athletic Department.
The league has three different competition levels - ages 11-13, high school, and JV-varsity players. Two contests are played simultaneously in the Northeastern gym. Last Monday, the games in the 11-13 age group were wide open and had lopsided scores. But the kids were having fun, and most of all, staying off the streets.
``We're trying to have a positive influence in the neighborhoods,'' said ECPD officer Anthony Alexander, who viewed last Monday's action. ``It keeps them out of trouble.''
The players wear brightly colored T-shirts with the four ``Yes, I Wills'' on the back - stay in school, stay away from drugs, make good grades and be the best you can be. Each player is required to attend lectures about good citizenship.
Bobby Dunn, head basketball coach at Northeastern, runs the league and spoke to the players Monday about a variety of topics, including getting good grades to keep up playing eligibility and staying away from bad influences.
``It's time for you to stop hanging back and saying, `I can't do it,' '' Dunn told the players. ``You can't be the best you can be unless you free yourself from what's hurting our community - drugs and illiteracy.
``We want you to do all your proving here and in the classroom,'' he added. ``You don't need to prove anything to people on the street. I know some of you have peer pressure to do things, but don't give in to it.''
To prove his point about good citizenship, Dunn, who also officiates some of the games, called a technical foul on a player for arguing a call. He pointed it out in the lecture, but later shook the players' hand.
``We all make mistakes. You'll give me a second chance, won't you,'' Dunn said with a grin.
Another aspect of the program is to show the players that the local police force is there to help them, not to be their enemy. ``We want you to look at the police department as your friends,'' Dunn said.
At the end of July, when the league comes to a close, the ECPD holds a picnic for the players. A highlight is when the police force plays a game against the league all-stars. This is all part of community policing in which officers get involved in the community.
``We can arrest people all day and never get to the problem,'' Alexander said. ``We are trying a pro-active approach. We are only focusing in on one person at a time. We're presenting these kids with a choice. Drug dealers are also a choice. We want to put out our own choice. Maybe one of these young men will make a difference.'' by CNB