Hard Work Region Preview: Motor City Grizzlies
We may be in the middle of high school basketball season but it’s not too early to look ahead to what’s coming up on the AAU circuit. Over the next few months we will be taking a look at the teams that will be participating in the PrepHoops Circuit Hard Work Region and here’s a look at the Motor City Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies will compete in the 15U, 16U and 17U age divisions of the Hard Work Region and will be at Havoc in the Heartland, The Summer Challenge and the Hard Work Region Finals.
I recently caught up with Grizzlies Director DaJuan Dickerson to learn more about the program and what to expect from his team this season:
- Why did you start your program? How long have you been around?
I established the program in 2007, designed to have young adults building positive relationships with the youth and encourage them to make positive decisions, with a focus of them staying off the streets and getting involved with positive activities. The basketball club was established in 2011 as an expansion of our Mentoring organization T.E.A.M. (Tutoring Enlightening and Mentoring).
- What is the goal of your program for 2019?
Our goals are to continue to develop young men in life and in the game of basketball. We would like to help our players get into good schools by earning scholarship.
- What is your program's mission each year?
To provide youth in the Metro Detroit area an opportunity to improve their basketball skill level, develop self-confidence and exhibit leadership through participation on a team in a highly competitive program with a strong emphasis on academics and community service.
- Do you know of any players that will be back in your program this year? Who should we have our eye on?
Yes, we have our core players returning from our 2021 team. Some players to watch are:
Damon Terrell (2021)
Cordario Miles (2021)
Trayale Solomon (2021)
Sterling Blakely (2021)
Alan Gee, Jr (2020)
We appreciate all the hard work by every young man within our program. There will be a lot of new faces and we are looking forward to adding more.
- Why did you choose the Prep Hoops Circuit?
Prep Hoops has done a phenomenal job of making sure young athletes get write ups and exposure opportunities. Prep Hoops is well respected and they grind over the years has been second to none.