It’s not about winning. It’s not about basketball.
Roger Jones had something else in mind when he started JYRIC (Jones Youth Roundball Instructional Camp), a sports and education program geared for at-risk youth in the area.
He originally drew up a blueprint for the organization in 2006, but JYRIC began pacing more quickly last year by hosting tournaments and an Amateur Athletic Union team. Jones said when he met his wife Monica, who has the same vision regarding youth and sports, they were able to jump-start the program serving youth ages 8-17.
“With the way the community is now,” Jones said, “we found it very important to try to target kids at an early age to try to steer them away from the trouble they can get in this day and time. Finding something constructive to keep them involved inreally helps, we think.”
JYRIC has drawn about a dozen children so far between ages 13 and 15 to meet twice a week at the Fairfield Gymnasium. During the school-free summer months, they prepare for a Back to School Tournament in August to raise money for school supplies.
Additionally, the summer team will host the Greene County All-Stars Thursday night at Fairfield.
Jones has coached basketball more than 20 years and is currently coaching middle school basketball at Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School. With an opportunity to play semi-professional basketball overseas gone awry, he’s been working with Dobbs Youth Development Center in Kinston for 25 years. In that role, he’s seen troublesome youth cycle in and out.
“That was a motivative factor — trying to prevent kids from going in that direction,” Monica Jones said. “We have seen on the news some of the worst things that have happened in the Kinston area have been some of the boys that have either gone to Dobbs or they have aged out.
“(JYRIC) really addresses the total child. Teaching them discipline, respect, teamwork and camaraderie goes so far.”
Roger Jones said the kids benefit from mingling with teammates.
Marquis Hines, 15, said he’s learned how to be a true team player during his year with JYRIC.
“I really appreciate it,” he said. “It keeps kids out of trouble and in positive stuff. … It keeps me motivated.”
Hines, a rising North Lenoir High School sophomore, scrimmaged against teammates, including fellow Hawk Antwan Gardner, 13, on Tuesday.
“You get to play with people that you know,” he said of JYRIC. “It gives you a way to express yourself.”
So far, Gardner said he’s learned how to play the complete game of basketball.
“I’m learning that some of the kids, a lot of the kids, they really enjoy and welcome this,” Jones said. “This time of year, mostly, they don’t have nothingto do. I have some of the kids in the program right now that’s stated that.”
Although JYRIC is centered on basketball, Jones said he hopes to eventually expand to other sports. The Joneses feel the current basketball camps and tournaments and tutorial programs play a major role in character building.
“I think it’s helped a lot of them want to stay out of trouble,” Monica Jones said. “They work real hard to keep their grades up and not get in any trouble. If we hear from their teachers, that’s an issue for us, and they know that can bench them.”
Roger Jones said the program is on its way to making strides in the community.
“We just want the community to know our program, we’re not just all about winning — we’re looking to produce good children,” he said. “Sure, we’d like to win some, but it’s about more than basketball. I think it’s really about the total child. Basketball is the avenue to draw the kids in.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan