Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 3-18-22

Feature
Skills Center Elite Basketball Team Continues To Soar
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
The Skills Center has been a bastion of sports and academics for years. It is the leader in sports- based education in Tampa. The 501C-3 non-profit organization works on a sports-based education model that integrates mind and body for the bet- terment of students and the community.
Their core values teach respect, responsibility and leadership through sports and community- based programs such as the Academic Café, PLUS Learn to Lead and the Y.E.S. Programs.
One of the basketball teams for the Skills Cen- ter, SCE 2028, has enjoyed some special successes lately.
According to Coach John Arroyo, these sixth graders are an exceptional group. Ninety percent of the players have played together since the second grade, and they have an average GPA of 3.34.
Coach Arroyo states, “The goal is to teach them how to play the game of basketball the cor- rect way, using their intelligence and playing with
Skills Center Elite Team, James Allen, John Arroyo, Jr., Tyson Bryant, Colin Forde, II, Sequel Hodge, Zach Larson, Jaiden Martin, Michael McLendon, Kyree Oliver, Trent Williams, Head Coach John Arroyo, and Assistant Coach Walter Williams.
a high IQ.
“Hard work, high character, teamwork, and
building a bond makes them more than just team- mates, but friends, which is very important.”
A few weeks ago, the SCE 2028 team traveled to Houston, Texas to play in the John Lucas All Star Invitational Tournament. This distinct honor of being invited was not lost on the team. The chance to compete against the best teams in the nation is an honor most teams never get. The team finished in the Elite 8 out of twenty-nine teams.
After the tournament, three players, Mike McLendon, James Allen and John Arroyo, Jr. were invited to attend the John Lucas Rising Stars Camp in June.
Just as exciting, the talented group of young men was selected to play during halftime of the SEC game between Texas A&M and the University of Florida on ESPN last Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Stay tuned to this team and all the Skills Center Elite teams as they build academic and life skills while playing sports.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY PAGE 5-A