MEDIA RELEASE

Kailua-Kona – The 2009 Hawaii Island Hoops College-Prep Basketball Camp was a huge success on and off the court, most importantly…off the court. That was the verdict with over 10 camp attendees who took what they were given seriously.

“Every night of our camp we would provide a college-prep seminar on academic requirements, financial aid, athletic recruitment, and taking advantage of opportunities”. Said Director Andy Smith. “What makes the whole program enjoyable is to see so many kids take control of their futures, practically apply what they have learned, and watch them get accepted to different colleges. I’m very proud of them and hope that this year’s camp inspires next year’s student-athletes”.

The concept of our college-prep basketball camp is extraordinary. The encouragement, knowledge, tools and resources along with promoting a positive – mental – attitude, were of great benefit. It really helped that our directors and coaching staff all played college basketball and also coach the game, so they could relate completely to all attendees and share their life experiences with them. Aside from excelling on the court, the message was received that the most important aspect of the camp was getting a college education and leading a positive life.

Hawaii Island Hoops College-Prep coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for helping every attendee. Brad Barbarick and Joe Navarro from Concordia University, Tyler Toney and Aukai Wong from Warner-Pacific College, Bill Naylor, University of Hawaii at Hilo Vulcan Alumnus and Camp Director and former University of Hawaii at Hilo standout Andy Smith.

Some notable beneficiaries of the college-prep basketball camp are:

• Bari Mims – Cardinal Newman High School – Kona resident. 2009 HIH College- Prep Camp MVP, signed athletic scholarship to play for Southwestern Oregon Community College.
• John Craig – Lahinaluna High School – Maui – Signed athletic scholarship to play for Clark Community College in Oregon.
• Michael Santos – Castle High School – Honolulu – Attending Santa Rosa Junior College in California.
• Tyler Terai – Maryknoll High School – Honolulu – signed athletic scholarship to play for Southwestern Oregon Community College. Tyler was also a Honolulu Star-Bulletin Fab-15 All-State member.
• Kauila Miller – Kailua High School – Honolulu – To play for Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.
• Kapanaia Carvalho – Kohala High School – Big Island – Attending Clackamas Community College in Oregon.
• Brandon Lewis – Kennedy HS-Sacramento CA- Attending University of California at Davis.
• John Bryant – Kealakehe High School – Big Island – Attending Clark Community College in Oregon.
• Carlos Craig – Kalaheo High School – Honolulu – Attending University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
• Kapono Kong – Kihei Charter School (Maui) – To play at Santa Barbara Community College in California.
• Ryan Delaries – Kealakehe High School – Big Island – To play at Southwestern Oregon CC.
• Dylan Soldwisch – Lahinaluna High School – Maui – Attending Southwestern Oregon CC.
• Bruno Radmilovich – Kealakehe High School – Big Island – Attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Hawaii Island Hoops looks forward to the continued success helping local student athletes and will continue its commitment to the community at the 2010 college-prep camp. For more information on future camps and college-prep seminars, please contact Director Andy Smith at (808) 937-3082, director@hawaiiislandhoops.com, also visit: www.hawaiiislandhoops.com