Travel Team Spotlight: Da House
There are plenty of under-the-radar AAU programs around the country that deserve more recognition than they get, but none may be more deserving than Da House out of Corinth, Mississippi.
Da House has helped develop several prospects that have gone on to be successful college players. The most recent big name to hit the big stage was Malcolm Armstead, who played at Wichita State. Plenty of other talented prospects have suited up for the program, too.
While they have done a great job basketball-wise, Da House has also make big impacts on the Corinth community and its young people. Here's an inside look at this unique program and how they have helped develop young men on and off the basketball court.
BEHIND THE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION
The Lighthouse Foundation was started in 1995. With the foundation, it is their vision to help impact the Corinth community and beyond through young people. To this day, thousands of people in northeast Mississippi have been impacted by what once was a dream.
"We started this foundation to impact the community and help give the youth opportunities," Gary Caveness, the executive director of the Lighthouse Foundation, told HoopSeen.com. "We've had some wonderful players, but we want to help God lead men. That's our main focus."
Over the years, the Lighthouse Foundation has helped coordinate a number of events within the community. Whether it involves school, church, or athletics, they have made it a priority to reach a variety of different people in the area. The foundation is involved in after-school tutoring hours for those that need it. They have summer camps for kids when school is dismissed. From Christmas programs to GED classes, the Lighthouse Foundation has things covered.
"We have ministries not necessarily to tell them about God's word, but we show them too. That's very important," Caveness said.
THE ADDITION OF BASKETBALL
Caveness and Vince Overholt have been avid basketball lovers for their entire lives. So in 2003 when the idea came about to start an AAU team, it only seemed right to do it the right way.
Since then, the two have helped coordinate a manageable number of teams where they stay with the same group all the way through their playing days. From 12U to 17U, the program puts focus on one or two teams.
"We started the AAU program because we felt there was no way to get the kids good looks in our area. So we started taking our kids out of the area to give them different opportunities to be successful," Caveness said.
The game of basketball continues to gain more traction in northeast Mississippi. In fact, last year, the Lighthouse Foundation brought the talent to the area with the inaugural Lighthouse Classic, which is quickly becoming one of the top high school Thanksgiving events in the country.
Event organizers have done an outstanding job of bringing in top talent to showcase in front of the dedicated fans of the Corinth area. Fans come from all over Mississippi for two days following Thanksgiving to see the talent on-hand. It's a big event now, but it will only get bigger with time.
"All of this started as a dream," Caveness said. "Now, we're seeing the reality of it."
WHO'S GOT NEXT?
As previously stated, Da House only carries a couple of teams. The team is preparing to compete in 15U once the AAU circuit tips off in the spring.
Class of 2018 wing Robert Woodard is the big name that Da House boasts. His combination of skill and size have made him a popular prospect amongst college coaches despite only being an 8th grader. He also had the opportunity to attend Team USA minicamp in the summer.
However, the team goes far beyond Woodard. They have a stellar group that plays extremely well together. JonDarius Warren and Tada Stricklen, both freshmen at Corinth High School, help patrol the perimeter for Da House. Warren is a talented point guard that can distribute well. Stricklen is a very talented scorer that can explode at any time.
Devonte Spears, who was a standout at this year's Lighthouse Classic, is also playing with the Corinth program. He has continued to have a productive season for Biggersville High School. In fact, he scored 31 points Friday night.
There are plenty of other talented players that will suit up for Da House this AAU season. And while they may not yet know it, if it wasn't for the Lighthouse Foundation and Da House, they wouldn't be getting near the recognition they are now.
"It's just another opportunity to let these kids shine. That's what it comes down to."
To learn more about the Lighthouse Foundation, visit www.lighthot.org