DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
The RGV Storm is hoping to take Orlando, Florida, by storm next month at the Youth Basketball of America National Championships.
The eight-member team, which is made up of 8th graders, recently won the YBOA State Championship in San Antonio to earn a spot in the national tournament set to begin the week of July 13.
“It’s a pretty big deal for us,” said RGV Storm head coach Kenny Gushwa at a recent practice in Harlingen. “This team has been together for about 3 years now and we were never able to get past the state tournament until this year when we won it.
“Now we’re hoping to have continued success at the national tournament. We are all very excited.”
Michael Arellano, who will attend Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy in Harlingen this coming fall but will eventually go to Harlingen High, is one of the team’s leaders and said he likes the Storm’s chances in Orlando.
“We’ve been playing good ball lately and we really work well together, so we should do well,” he said. “We know that the competition there (Orlando) will be pretty tough, but we’re looking forward to the competition and we’re ready to show everyone how we play.”
While playing at a national tournament is quite an accomplishment and an honor, it does not come cheap.
Gushwa figures it will take about $1,000 per player to cover the cost of going to Orlando.
“And that amount doesn’t include the cost of parents and coaches,” he said.
In order to raise funds, Gushwa said the team has been holding various events such as selling brisket plates and raffle tickets.
“We’ve also been looking for sponsors to help us cover some of the costs as well as asking the public for private donations,” he said.
In addition to Arellano, the team includes Kobe Gushwa, David Morin, Carlos Reyes, Robert Farias, Antonio Cerrillo, Derick Delgado and George Vargas.
To make a donation to RGV Storm, contact Kenny Gushwa at 956-970-8184 or Ernest Arellano at 956-244-0876