Hard Work Region Preview: Team M.O.R.E. Athletics
Although it is still in the middle of the high school basketball season in Illinois we are already looking ahead to the travel team circuit this spring. We will be previewing the teams participating in the PrepHoops Circuit Hard Work Region over the next few months.
Team M.O.R.E. Athletics will be participating in the PrepHoops Circuit this spring and summer. PrepHoops caught up with Lyvonte Eskridge to get insight on their program and teams for this year.
Why did you start your program? How long have you been around?
I started my program as a safe haven to get at risk teens off the streets off Chicago in 2017. What started out as teens in the Pullman neighborhood coming to the gym to get instructional basketball workouts, turned into kids of all ages coming to learn the game of basketball from us. As a reward for their hardworking and dedication I would try to get some of the players to come play with me for teams I coached with at Full Package. Transporting players to Full Package games and practices became very difficult so I decided to start Team M.O.R.E. M.O.R.E is an acronym for Motivation Ourselves to Reach Excellence. In fact, Team M.O.R.E is a program listed under our youth Foundation M.O.R.E Foundation, where we offer tutoring, skill building, fine arts, Athletics for both boys and girls, various educational services, as well as financial literacy. We started of playing in small local tournaments around the area, but once I saw how competitive my team was I decided to putting us in better tournaments.
What is the goal of your program for 2019?
Our Goal for 2019 is to increase the amount of players and teams that we have in our program. Our program focus on the education of academics and life first. We help our young athletes plan for life if sports don’t work out for them and life after sports. So outside of winning every tournament this spring and summer, our goal is to positively impact the lives of youth so that they can become successful.
What is your program’s mission each year?
Program mission each year is to increase enrollment and to positively impact EVERY youth in our program.
Do you know of any players that will be back in your program this year? Who should we have our eye on?
Terrance Ford Jr. Orr HS 15U/16U
Jamarion Walked Butler HS 16U
Nehemiah Lewis Excel Academy 16U
Damarcies Moore Bogan HS 16U
Antoine Bloxton Bogan HS 17U
Damari Fonza Longwood 17U
Jaybari Moore Bogan 15U
Terry Williams Orr HS 17U
Why did you choose the Prep Hoops Circuit?
We chose the Prep Hoops Circuit because we fill it will give our players the best opportunity to gain as much exposure as possible this upcoming spring and summer.