Posted: Feb 19, 2013
WILMINGTON, NC - The Cape Fear men's basketball team has joined forces with Forest Hills Global Elementary School in hopes to improve reading skills. The "Score Big with Books" program was created to bring selected young men to the Schwartz Center for an afternoon of reading and basketball.
Each Monday afternoon the students take the short field trip to the Schwartz Center in Downtown Wilmington, where they meet with Head Coach Ryan Mantlo and the Sea Devil basketball players. Every student in the program was given the book, Michael Jordan by Matt Christopher. Each young man is paired with a basketball player, where they read together and talk about the importance of academics and hard work in the classroom. After an hour of reading together, the books hit the bleachers and the kids partake in the early stages of practice with the Sea Devils.
"This is great, for not only these young men, but for our players as well," stated head coach Ryan Mantlo.
"These kids look up to the players and our athletes can really make a difference. We are thrilled to be partnering with Forest Hills Global Elementary School."
This community initiative and outreach program began on February 11, 2013 and is set to conclude on March 18, 2013.