Farha Advanced Basketball’s Deanrious Powell – YMCA YiBelong Profile

Thanks to a chance meeting, coach Deanrious Powell began the early steps of developing a basketball league that brings kids together for the purpose of learning the game and competing at a higher level. “I started my first team with kids that randomly knocked on my door asking to cut my grass. After a few times of them coming around I ask them questions about playing basketball and starting a team. With a few of their other friends we would practice outside at parks and a few local gyms. Coming to the YMCA gave me stability for games and practice at one location,” said Powell.

Now that team has developed into a program with kids from several different age groups. “I have 20 committed boys in my program at the moment. I coach eighth grade and seventh grade in the past I have coached sixth, seventh, and eighth all in the same season, around 30 kids. I like to keep the boys together year around some kids play other sports at different seasons then come back. But I always try to keep some part of each team still developing,” said Powell.

Mainly using YMCA gyms, coach Powell has developed a relationship that is beneficial for both the YMCA and the Farha Advanced Basketball program. “It’s been great, the YMCA staff is easy to work with. Very good with communication and organizing. The staff is always aware and helpful while on the job. Toby Baxter manages the basketball league. He does a great job managing coaches, refs, players, parents, staff, everything,” said coach Powell. “The YMCA league allows you to be back around the game consistently and teach the youth. I encourage players and coaches and refs too look into it as a way to develop yourself. It’s what you make it to be, but the opportunity is there for anyone.”

For Powell, giving the kids a safe place to participate in sports was one of the main goals. “The kids need organized sports, and they need a safe, respectable environment to be able to compete against their peers consistently. The basketball league gives kids hope they become inspired in life from being able to play a sport. I’ve seen plenty of kids start to make better decisions in life also become more confident just from being part of the league. For coaches too, the YMCA can give you a home base to establish yourself and learn,” said Powell.