Asheville Titans Basketball: More Than Teams – We’re a Family
 Asheville Titans 15U Boys Basketball Team. Back Row (L-R): JJ Peterson, Eric Anderson, Jordan Howell, Dre Payton, Jacob Goodman, and Dalton Friel. Front Row (L-R): Rashawn Harper, Joe Allman, Tyquise Griffin, Taquon Muckelvene, and Devonte Battle |
by Anthony E. Alexander, Co-Founder/Coach
When William Hoke and I first imagined forming a traveling tournament basketball team, little did we think that nine years later we would be have five, along with a wonderful coaching staff comprising Gene Smith, Tyson Holloway, Chris Blanton, and a number of assistants.
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is the largest national tournament sports organization for young people; its affiliates offer youth a chance to travel, meet new people, see other places, and compete on a level they have never experienced.
Unfortunately, traveling teams such as these often charge as much as
$400-$600 or more per team member. When we set out to start our first
team, we learned that a tremendous number of youth in Asheville and
Buncombe County did not have the resources to participate.
So we established a non-fee team, with the two of us taking on
the brunt of the expenses. In the nine years since, we have grown more
than we ever expected, and we still make participation affordable.
Though now we charge each youth, the fee is still at lower rate then
any other group of our kind, and we have scholarships for those who
cannot afford to pay.
Recently our teams have been busy. In the “Break the Glass
Classic” in Elizabethton, TN, the 12 & Under Boys placed first and
the 12 & Under Girls placed third; the 18 & Under Boys placed
first, and the 15 & under boys placed second, in the Salvation Army
Boys and Girls Club “High School March Madness Tournament”; the 15
& Under Boys went to Boone, NC to play in the “7th Annual Roundball
Classic,” where they placed third, and the 18 & Under Boys placed
second in Kingsport, TN. In the next few months teams will travel to
Morganton, Gastonia, Elizabethton, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and many
other cities to compete.
We teach our players that no matter what place they come in at a
tournament or a game, all our youth are winners. We value ourselves in
the closeness with our families, parents, players, and coaches; our
teams are families, and that is the greatest win of all.
For more information or to make a tax-exempt contribution,
contact Anthony at (828) 231-4273 or William at (828) 989-7505. Tax ID#
available upon request.
