Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

The BVI Hoop It Up Foundation has dubbed 2012 as a successful year, but has called on the community to provide more support for youth initiatives.

Providing a number of camps to teach basketball skills and provide an avenue for academic studies, the Foundation capped the year with the completion of the 2012 Christmas Hoops basketball camp a few days ago.

According to the Foundation, the BVI youth were able to attend after school camps, vacation hoop camps and several young men and women earned their way into American academic institutions.

"God has been really good to us this year. In this difficult economic time several sponsors and assistance from the BVI Government made it possible for all our camps to be a reality," stated Steve Parillon, president of the Hoop It Up Foundation.

He added, "We would also like to thank all the parents who put their trust in us to help their children to become better basketball players and also help their children to pursue a basketball career in America. Special thanks also go out to all the media who have helped us spread the news of the great work the foundation has been doing."

Parillon noted that consistency is very important and to be able to conduct six basketball camps in a year was a great accomplishment. He also pointed out that they are not a big organization, but they have big aspirations.

"To the people of the BVI, we encourage you to be more supportive to youth programs and become more involved as much as you can with the youth. To the bloggers, we thank you for your support and constructive criticism, but we would like to see you dominate the positive news more than negative news. We pray 2013 will be a successful, blessed and positive year in the BVI, and the BVI Hoop it Up Foundation will try its best to help contribute to that," the Foundation stated.

The Foundation highlighted the Virgin Islands showcase camp, which gave several BVI players in 2012 the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of several college coaches and scouts. From the camp, 14 players were given the opportunity to attend different basketball institutions in the United States, joining the seven recruits from 2011.

According to the Foundation, Clinton Community College is out to a great start with 2012 recruit Kimani Stevens in the starting lineup, while 2012 recruits Dione Blyden and Bjorn Caleb are coming off the bench. Clinton's next game is host to Southwestern College on January 9, 2013.

At Sauk Valley Community College, the Foundation reported that the team is off to an 8-5 record with 2011 recruit Daven Ottley leading the team in scoring and rebounding, while 2012 recruit Wuli Frometa is still trying to work his way into the rotation. Sauk's next game is away to Kankakee College on January 5.

The Foundation noted that the Lady Sauks are off to a 7-3 record and 2012 recruit Sheldeen Joseph is playing well for the team.

Siminole State College is off to a slow start, but according to the Foundation, 2011 recruit Killven Samuels is having a great season, leading the team in scoring with over 17 points per game. Seminole's next game is at home to Connors College on January 10.

Roxbury Community College is off to a sizzling 10-1 start making their way into the top five in the nation and 2012 recruit Asim Beazer is having a solid season, according to the Foundation. Roxbury's next game is home to Quinsigamond College on January 8.

The Foundation also pointed out Warner University is off to a 8-4 record after visiting the BVI for the first ever Tropical Shootout. Halstead `JR´ Chiverton, the 2012 recruit is 4th in scoring on the team with 12.6 points per game and 2nd in rebound averages with 5 per game. Warner´s next game is at Ashford University on January 5.

At Onpoint Basketball Academy, the Foundation noted that recruits Dominic Ward, J´Kwon Frett, Shamarr George and Cravern Andrew are all contributing to the team significantly.

The Hoop It Up Foundation also highlighted the success of its various programs in 2012, including Books and Basketball after school camp , Future Star Academy and its vacation hoop camps in Easter, Summer and Christmas.