By By Matthew Nascone
Escambia County High School assistant principal Jerome Antone was hired last year to help discipline the young men and women at ECHS. He was named head boy's basketball coach soon after being hired and he led the team to a 24-5 record in his first season.
Now, Antone wants to give back to the community in the form of a basketball camp. On June 5-9, Antone and assistant coach Marshall Davis will host the inaugural Escambia County High School "We Love to Run" basketball camp.
"We wanted to give the kids something constructive to do in the summer," Antone said. "When they are doing something constructive, only good things can happen."
Antone said the best part about the camp will be the camaraderie between campers and the participants do not have to be all-stars.
"You don't have to be a basketball player to participate," Antone said. "If you just want to be a part of a group this is the place to be."
The price for the camp will be $100 per player and that includes a daily lunch and a "We Love to Run" camp t-shirt. All boys and girls in grades 5-12 are welcome to participate.
Antone said he would love to see 100 or more campers in the high school gymnasium on June 5-9. The camp will run from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Antone also said for any players who are planning on being a Blue Devil in 2006 attendance is strongly encouraged.
One stipulation for participation in the camp is an insurance card. Each camper must provide an insurance card before they are allowed to play and Antone said permission slips should be out soon.
"These kids cannot participate if they are not insured and I just want to make that clear," Antone said.
The deadline for application and payment is May 15. Antone said if a child wants to participate, but is lacking the entrance fee, ECHS will pick up the slack.
"If you can give $25 or $100, we will help your child participate in the camp," Antone said. "We are here to help the parents out."
The money collected from the "We Love to Run" camp will fund the transportation to another Blue Devils' camp. On July 1-5, the Duke University Blue Devils host their annual basketball camp and Antone plans to take a group from Escambia County.
"This camp will have many past and present Dukies in attendance," Antone said. "A lot of these kids love good coaching and coach Krzyzewski represents what true leadership and character are all about."
Antone also said he believes it will be good for the boys and girls in the area to see and hear the game of basketball explained in a new way.
"We are always trying to uplift them and show them we want them to succeed not only in athletics, but in life," he said.
The camp will cost $500 per camper and that price will include lodging, three meals a day and bus fare. Boys and girls in grades 7-12 are invited to participate.
Antone said he will be taking around 30 of the boys involved with ECHS, which would leave 10-15 spots open for other players around the county.
"We want to have athletes from all over the county on that bus with us," he said. "And the parents don't need to worry because we will have two chaperones for every 10 children."
Antone said there will be female chaperones and all donations towards the trip to Durham would be accepted with open arms.
"It is a great camp and this can be like a vacation for all involved," he said. "We are hoping for a great turnout."
Antone said if a child wants to go on the trip, but is lacking the entrance fee, ECHS will pick up the slack.
A payment plan can be set up for either one of the camps and the deadline for the "We Love to Run" camp is May 15 and the deadline for the Duke camp is May 26.
For additional information contact Jerome Antone at (251) 368-0669 or (334) 545-4264 or Marshall Davis at (251) 368-9105.