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| League Focuses On Top-Notch Basketball
July 31, 2003
Section: PASCO
Page: 11
ANDY STAPLESastaples@tampatrib.com
Memo: SPORTS
PLAYERS WON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO ELITE SQUADS
NEW PORT RICHEY - Goldie Ayers stood and faced a group of fire-breathing parents a few weeks ago. He wanted to explain the purpose of his new Florida Fastbreak league.
The parents grumbled because one team of 8- and 9-year-old boys had built a double-digit lead using a full-court press. Some of the parents couldn't understand why no one had stopped the offending team.
So Ayers, who started the league in June and had more than 200 boys and girls ages 8-16 playing for 22 teams when the first season wrapped up Tuesday, made an announcement. The league exists to teach players "real basketball," Ayers told the parents. They would face adverse game conditions later in life, he said. Why not prepare them now?
After the game, the losing team practiced a play to break the press. It played for the league title, while the pressing team did not.
Ayers and partner Mike Carbone smiled as they recalled the incident. It validated the dream that formed as the two men watched their daughters play for the Ridgewood girls basketball team and the Clearwater Green Wave club.
As Ayers' daughter, Crystal, and Carbone's daughter, Stephanie, played their junior season last year, the fathers realized they would be blessed with ample spare time after this school year.
No more drives to Clearwater for club-team practice. No more games. No more basketball.
So Ayers and Carbone hatched a plan. Ayers intends to quit his job as a mortgage broker after Crystal leaves for college and embark on a new career helping children on the hardwood. Carbone, a retired restaurateur, would re-enter the work force as the business brain behind Ayers' hoop dream.
They formed a corporation - which Ayers said he recently reincorporated as a not-for-profit - with the hope of creating an alternative to the clubs in Tampa and Clearwater that have forced Pasco County parents and children to spend hours in the car just to find a competitive basketball league.
If Florida Fastbreak continues to grow, Ayers hopes to pluck players for Amateur Athletic Union teams. The best players in West Pasco currently play on AAU teams based in Clearwater, Tampa or Orlando.
"We want these kids to be AAU basketball players," Ayers said. "We don't want them to have to drive to Clearwater."
Ayers and Carbone do not intend to stop in West Pasco. They want to expand to Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Dade City. Ayers also is trying to raise money to build a facility for the league that would be open only to children.
After two months in operation, Florida Fastbreak's founders remain confident. Bobby Riordan, who runs the Salvation Army league, gave Ayers and Carbone access to his rosters to help find players. Riordan also coached two teams in the Florida Fastbreak league.
Riordan, who also runs a youth football league, said his winter basketball league would not compete with Florida Fastbreak, which will be on hiatus from December to February. Riordan said cooperation is crucial to achieve the ultimate goal: establishing Pasco County as a fertile basketball area.
"We're trying to get this going so parents don't have to travel and so Pasco County can make a name for itself," Riordan said.
As parents, grandparents and players jammed the New Port Richey recreation center Tuesday for the league's championship games, Port Richey resident Ray Meyer watched his grandson, 10-year-old Devin Payne, warm up for his game.
Meyer raved about the league and Ayers' dedication.
Meanwhile, Carl Hille waited outside for his daughters' game to start.
Twins Lauren and Ryan, 15, play for River Ridge, and their father has logged significant miles taking them to club tryouts and practices. He believes parents of younger children may not have to do that if Florida Fastbreak succeeds.
"Pasco County has got to have something," Hille said. "Goldie's trying to create it."
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