Saginaw Civitan Summer Basketball League.

The Civitan Summer Basketball League features top ranked player...

I had the chance to watch the Georgia Stars and future college basketball player Alex Poythress in one of their games at the Civitan Summer Basketball league.   I was quite impressed with the 6-foot-8 215 pound small forwards quickness, ability to tower over his opponents and other athletic abilities.

After the game, I also got the chance to interview Poythress, who is a native of Clarksville TN,  and a senior at Northeast High School.  Poythress said he is ranked No. 17. by EPSN and according to rivals.com he is ranked No. 38. in the nation.  Poythress said he has offers from over five schools including Duke, Vanderbilt, Ohio State University, Stanford, and Louisville.  Other offers include Kentucky, Memphis, Florida, West Virginia, Tennessee and a few more.

Poythress said for the summer he is participating in basketball camps, and "playing travel ball,".  

Poythress was happy to participate in the Civitan Summer Basketball League.

"I like the atmosphere, I like when it's a lot of people in the stands...the crowd gets into it," said Poythress.

With the talent Poythress has and the rate he is going at, there is no doubt that he will be playing D1 basketball and maybe on someones NBA team in the near future.

Third times a charm...

In the third year of operation, the Civitan Summer Basketball League is steadily growing .  The program, which is under the direction of first year coordinators Tanoris Shepard and Shavonda Burton, has grown from just a safe haven and time occupancy to urban neighborhood kids.  The program now includes teams from all over Michigan and outside of the state, and it focuses on building life skills, athletic skills, and networking.  


Programs like this are great for building self-esteem in future athletes and helping to develop their skills. Not only is this program good for things like that but its good for keeping youth out of trouble.  It helps youth utilize their time more constructively. 


I'm amazed with how much this program has grown. Watching this program develop from the first year to now i've seen the program go from as little as 20 teams (mainly from the urban areas) to at least 50 teams including urban and suburban area youth.


At the pace the program is going more growth can be expected in the future.

MSU is doing something about the prevalence of STDS.

     Sexually transmitted diseases are on college campuses everywhere.  They are even on Michigan State University's campus.   But Olin Health Centers Center for  Sexual Health Promotion is offering services to tackle STD issues.
     Olin offers a variety of services such as testing for any STD there is to test for, free and anonymous HIV testing, free condoms, and they even put on programs and events.  Its probably common sense to know that Olin offers testing and condoms, but who knew they put on programs and events?  They are really doing a lot to help prevent STDs aren't they?
     How much do students utilize the services?   Often, I would hope, its important that students know more about their sexual health and use the services of their campuses to do so.

Who Knew STDS were so Prevalent amongst college students?

     The University of New Hampshire reported that 20-25 percent of college students in the U.S. have been infected with a sexually transmitted disease or have transmitted one to their partners.  Who would have know the percentages were so high? Yes, that means STDs are most likely on your campus and its important that you go get tested if you are active.

      Of the STDs transmitted on college campuses HPV (human papillomavirus) is the first most-common STD on college campuses, chlamydia is the second most-common and herpes  is the third.


     No symptoms are the most common symptoms but preventing STD's is a lot easier than treating them.  Thats why its important to practice safe sex by using condoms to protect both you and your partner or to be abstinent and not have sex at all.


     

What have students learned this summer?

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The Mavericks are finally rewarded the ultimate prize.

You can say it's a sweet revenge thats been long overdue.  The Dallas Mavericks got their revenge on the Miami heat after a loss in the 2006 NBA finals.

 "It feels amazing now that to know that nobody can ever take this away from us again." said Dirk Nowitzki in a video on NBA.com.

The Mavericks defeated the Heat yesterday night in game six 105-95 http://on.nba.com/mwIAZW.

This was a special day for the Mavericks because it was their first NBA championship.  After many years in the NBA this was for many veterans a last shot at a well deserved victory.

"It took me 12 years to get this, i'm not letting it go." said Shawn Marion in a video on NBA.com

  Shawn Marion does not share this feeling of happiness alone.

"The third times a charm. said Jason Kidd in a video on NBA.com.  It's a dream."

Jason Terry who was MVP in last nights game with 27 points http://on.wsj.com/kFnZwD feels the same.

"It was a night to remember, my dream became a reality" said Jason Terry in a video on NBA.com.

Can Dallas wrap the series up in game six of the NBA finals?

With Game six of the NBA finals for Miami and Dallas getting ready to take place in less than 30 minutes the big question is can the Mavericks road players be consistent?  

Being that Dallas is leading the series 3-2  their chances of taking home a trophy tonight are pretty good bleechreport.com talks about it here http://bit.ly/mFDJ40. 

 On the other hand if the Heat can bring the energy and be consistent with it there just might be a game seven. For the respected veterans there is a hope to validate a years full of work and get the ultimate prize but for the Heat this is a game of survival. 

Check out updates during the game here http://on.nba.com/j4lWVc.