The East Bay Explosion (EBX) Girls AAU Basketball Program has teamed with Otis Spunkmeyer and Barnes & Noble Bookstore to participate in the 2002 Books First Tour which began on June 22 at Jack London Square in Oakland and will continue on June 29 and July 13 at 12 noon.

EBX team members will read books to children (elementary age), and answer questions about basketball, academic requirements for student-athletes and their goals for the future. At the end of each session, they will serve snacks and beverages to the children. If the location is feasible, weather permissible and safe, a portable basketball goal will be set up outside of the store for the kids to shoot free throws to win a prize (whether the shot is made or not. The key is to encourage them to try their best).

East Bay Xplosion 14 & under team is a local girls A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball team that participates in tournaments to prepare for the A.A.U. National Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota on July 19-27, 2002. The team has nine (9) players:

Courtney Paris – Modesto Christian H.S./Piedmont H.S. Fall 2002

Ashley Paris – Modesto Christian H.S./Piedmont H.S. Fall 2002

Shantrell Sneed – St. Mary’s College H.S.

Erin Tao – Monte Vista H.S. Fall 2002 (8th grader)

Alexis Gray Lawson – Oakland Tech H.S.

Lea Munley – Amador Valley H.S.

Sara Vanderhorst – Amador Valley H.S. Fall 2002 (8th grader)

Daniella Roark – Pinewood H.S.

Kristin Hart – Amador Valley H.S.

The team cumulative GPA is 3.6 and each player is required to maintain a 3.0 or above GPA to be able to participate on the team. This team placed 4th in the nation at last year’s A.A.U. National Tournament (Cocoa Beach, Florida) with Courtney Paris selected to light the torch at the opening ceremonies. Their awards from A.A.U. and their respective high school programs include USA Today Top Freshmen, local newspaper Player of The Year, All Tournament, League MVP, All League, All State Freshman and All American Freshman. All of their high school teams qualified for the high school playoffs including a State Championship Finalist. These young ladies are well-balanced student-athletes who understand the importance of academics, especially reading. Each have plans to attend college.

EBX players understand the importance of community service and reading. They want to encourage the younger children to continue to read during the summer months while school is out. They will use the analogy of “Where you spend your greater time is where you will find your success.” They will inform the youth that they spend most of their time with academics and basketball; two areas where they want to experience success. Although they will be traveling during the summer for basketball tournaments, they will also keep a book with them to continue their reading time outside of school requirements. They will focus on the enjoyment of reading as well. This tour will also provide an avenue for the team to generate the funds that they need to travel to the A.A.U. National Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota without sitting back and taking a lackadaisical attitude, waiting on their parents to provide the financial means for them to get there. They are taking the initiative to work in the community for a wonderful cause...literacy. In addition, each team member will read a book(s) that totals a minimum of 350 pages during June 22 through July 27, 2002.

For more information or to send contributions, contact Solid Foundations at 800-895-5734 or email to solidfds@pacbell.net. For information about the team, contact Mark Anger at 209-380-5440.